|
| We have a large border garden surrounding our lawn that is about five years old now. We're about to lay down a fresh application of bark mulch, but the thought occurred to me that this border garden could probably use some fertilization before we apply the mulch. What's an effective yet economical way to organically fertilize a large flower bed? I think we'd go through an awful lot bags of blood and bone meal if we took that approach. Perhaps a layer of compost? |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by tendingmygarden 7 (My Page) on Thu, Feb 14, 13 at 0:41
| It may be helpful to read my post on whether or not borders need to be fertilized. (Link below.) If you absolutely feel you must fertilize --- compost would be a good choice --- but even that is not always necessary in a flower border. There is no reason to add anything else unless you have a problem and/or find out exactly what you need via a very dependable soil test. Hope this helps make your decision easy. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Fower Gardens and Borders - Do you need to fertilize?
|
- Posted by raymondo17 z9 Sacramento (My Page) on Thu, Feb 14, 13 at 0:49
| That's an interesting take, and certainly economical. I do run over the leaves with a mower in the fall and spread them throughout the raised beds. And truly, the plants do seem to be doing fine. So perhaps I'll take your advice and let well enough alone. Thanks. :) |
|
| Before doing anything have that soil tested to see what, if anything, might be needed. Simply throwing some "fertilizer", even compost, may create more problems then if might cure. What is that soils pH? Are the plants growing pretty well? Are the plants bothered by a lot of insect pests? Are those plants infected with some diseases? An unbalanced soil, wrong pH for the plants, excess od deficient nutrient levels can result in plants that have growing problems. |
|
- Posted by raymondo17 z9 Sacramento (My Page) on Thu, Feb 14, 13 at 23:42
| Thanks for the reply, kimmsr. I frequently hear that recommendation, "get a soil test," but our local cooperative extension won't do them. The ironic thing is it's U.C. Davis, known for their agricultural program. :/ So I wind up with the cheesy soil tests you pick up at the big box stores that don't seem to tell me much. |
|
| While your UCCES does not do soil testing they can supply you with a list of labs that do or the University of Connecticut (UCONN) or the University of Massechussets (UMASS) have tested soils from other states so it may be beneficial to look at their websites. |
|
- Posted by gardengal48 PNW zone 8 (My Page) on Tue, Feb 19, 13 at 15:32
| If you were to opt for a layer of compost before the bark mulching, there is no need for a soil test. For many years, I mulched ALL my planting beds with compost - no more than 2-3 inches annually - and everything thrived. I preferred using compost as mulch because of the texture and appearance and so I could avoid any other supplemental fertilization. While there are valid arguments to be made towards not fertilizing unless nutrient deficiencies exist, these can become present rather easily. For example, nitrogen is often lacking in cultivated soils due to its extreme mobility. Combine that with a nitrogen-tying woody bark mulch and the relatively shallow root system of most perennials or annual flowers and nitrogen supplementation is often advised. This is typically much less of an issue with well-established and deeper/wider rooted plants like trees and shrubs. Compost used as a mulch is pretty hard to overdo with the fertilzing aspect and a reasonable layer will most certainly NOT create additional problems. Except for being a rather fertile seedbed for windblown weed seeds :-) But a layer of bark mulch over the top will reduce that issue. |
|
| Its a natural healing to get rid of skin diseases and is used in India. Because of busy schedule we can't manage for such treatments.T However, today we have number of natural products available in market that help us to get the same results. The products from world organic are very helpful these days as they have total natural ingredients. Its helpful, really. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Natural Skin Care Routine
|
| Cultivated soils lacking Nitrogen usually are also lacking adequate levels of organic matter so people throw some form of highly soluble N at that soil and it is washed out with the water flow and pollutes the ground water which eventually reaches our drinking water. |
Here is a link that might be useful: The Nitrogen cycle
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Organic Gardening Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.