Re: New garden plot revisited
- To: "Perennials list"
- Subject: Re: New garden plot revisited
- From: M* T*
- Date: Sun, 7 May 2000 00:33:04 -0400
Actually, it's the microbes digesting the woody material that tie up
available soil nitrogen. When they've done their job, it's released
again.
Chicken manure is high in nitrogen, so is bloodmeal and so are any
commercial fertilizers with a high N number.
Question would be how much high nitrogen to add so that what your
plants don't suffer from low nitrogen or get too much and I don't
know the answer to that one. Too much nitrogen is as bad as not
enough.
I do know that weed seeds, mostly woody plant seeds, germinate on the
to of piles of fresh woodchips, once the piles have stopped steaming.
If I leave them, they will grow, but slowly and usually with
yellowish leaves, indicating chlorosis from lack of nitrogen. But,
they grow.
Barring someone who knows quantities here, I'd say add a high
nitrogen fertilizer according to package directions. Then, monitor
your plantings...if they look off color, feed them with a slow
release like Ozmacote the first year.
Think by next year, the soil shouldn't need extra nitrogen. If you
use chicken manure, be aware that it is hot and can burn roots.
Actually, would be best if you tilled all that in and mulched the
area and left it for a year or at least until fall planting
season....
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor: Gardening in Shade
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> From: Pat <pattm@execpc.com>
> Date: Saturday, May 06, 2000 8:06 AM
>
> >Another direction to consider: what species of tree was it?
> Dean Sliger
>
> It was a plain old Green Ash. Not high on the natural herbicide
> producers list, I would guess.
>
> I guess I should have been a little more clear on my question. Is
there
> anything I can till in WITH the grindings and dead sod to make it
> plantable in the first few weeks? Bill Lee mentioned that the
> grindings/sawdust use up the nitrogen in the soil before they break
> down. Could I till composted manure in with the grindings? What's
a
> good high nitrogen amendment? Chicken droppings? I have very
alkaline
> clay soil, so anything added can only help, methinks!
>
> Thanks for taking the time to help me.
> --
> Pat
> pattm@execpc.com
> Zone 5 SE Wisconsin
> Dry, sunny and unseasonably warm
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