organic starting soil
bryant1963
Posts: 1
in Plants
i was trying to figure out a soil ratio in which i could plant a wide variety of seeds into. when i say organic i dont mean verm, perlite, or pete moss. all those are mined or take a large amount of energy and time to produce and transport. im talking about things i can find locally and or in a back yard that can be processed, mixed, and pasteurized into something i can use.
0
Posts
Hi Bryant
Lots of useful info here
http://www.askorganic.co.uk/organicgardening/DIY%20Potting%20Mixes.htm
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I was looking at this site this morning for the first time, offers excellent advice.
Leafmould ?
What planet do these people live on?
The only way to get it is if you were to own a forest or else are Monty Don!
I have never seen leafmould or seen it for sale!
Leaves are easily collected anually were they fall. I collect bags of the stuff from the road side, there are several spots near me were residents are happy for you to bag leaves up.
Parks are great spots if you live near one, their boundaries often shed leaves onto the pavement and wind blows them into a corner.
There are no instant fixes, leaf mould does take time to decompose, 12 months as a mulch.
Rake up the leaves in the streets and parks or neighbours' gardens, bag in bin bags, stab holes in them and leave for 12 months - free leaf mould - nothing comes much easier than that
Much of gardening is about looking ahead and preparation - if this is your first year of gardening and you want to sow some seeds now you'll have to use bought seed and potting compost. Use John Innes loam-based composts and it won't have any peat-moss in it. If you need it more aerated use grit rather than vermiculite.
You could even offer a leaf-raking service to your non-gardening neighbours and earn a few bob to pay for some compost
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.