h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello Hypatia

I'm not going to say it this week. I'm not. Really.

Oh, all right then...

It's another great read Hypatia! Thank you

Now, soil testing:

In Scotland, you can send a small bag of soil to your local Scottish Agricultural College office, and for about UKP10, they'll not only test it and tell you what the pH is, what it's structure is and what minerals it contains, but they'll also send you a *recipe* of what to add and in what quantities to get it as good as possible for the use that you prefer.

It's a fantastic service, which I've used several times and it certainly means that I start a veg garden on the right track.

Just to add that pigeon manure is good too, although awfully powerful, so it needs to be spread sparingly.

Coo poo (cattle manure to you) is not so good - it tends to be very strong and burns plants. In small quantities it's okay. Better if it's mixed with straw or hay.

Horse manure is also better if it's mixed with straw or hay (not sawdust), as this adds to the soil-conditioning qualities by adding extra humous (vegetable matter) to the soil.

I actually put fresh horse manure on my bean beds, because they really like their roots hot - and they can handle the *burning* effect of the nitrogen.


F/b

I remember one summer when I was a kid my mom moved the veggie patch to an area that had been used the year before for chickens. She had the best garden I've ever seen. So chicken poo is good fertilizer. But I'm sure it would burn the plants if you used it too fresh.

You have to be careful using cow manure, but it is about the only thing we can get around here. Other than buying in bags, I mean. I used to have a source for horse manure, but no longer have. I suppose I could scrape the pigeon poop off of the library windowsills.

Your soil test sounds like a bargain. We have to pay around $25 for a test through the extension office. And it takes them forever, so you have to send it in really early if you want the results in time to make good use of them.


H

One of the basic tenets of Permaculture is the i.e. a moveable chicken shed and run, which can be shifted around the garden according to which bit you need scraping up, weeding and fertilising. It's a brilliant method of gardening and saves a lot of backache So your Mum was ahead of her time!


F/b