Can I tag onto this post? I intend to plant in March or April a rose which is well-known for needing extra nourishment to perform (Souvenir du DocteurJamain). I am planting it in a shady part of the garden (it doesn't like much direct sun) where the soil is probably very poor... I have never amended it. Is there merit in digging over and adding chicken pellets or compost to this area now?
Yes - by all means add compost/manure to get some life into the soil now. I'd also do the same just before you plant it to improve the soil further and give some nutrients to your rose when you plant it. I'd also give a little sprinkle of blood fish and bone when you plant it too, and another mulch on top of that.
I wouldn't use chicken pellets as they're mostly nitrogen, so not much use to a rose really.
I hope you have better success that I did with Dr J
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
@WhereAreMySecateurs yes you can use chicken manure pellets for Roses. As well as containing nitrogen they also contain phosphorus and potassium which promote healthy root growth and flowers. However I would wait until the Spring to use. Just sprinkle some around your rose and then lightly fork it in with a hand fork.
I agree with @Fairygirl, Westland and other brands of Farmyard Manure are sold with no contents listed at all, just a generic reference to organic matter. The main purpose of organic matter is that it decomposes to enable better retention of water and nutrients in the soil. I use it as a soil conditioner or mulch at any time of the year.
Westland Farmyard Manure is described by the manufacturer as "a rich organiccompost ideal for use all around the garden. It's perfect for replenishing depleted soils, conditioning soil and improving its structure." There's no mention of the essential NPK nutrients which are normally listed on organic and synthetic plant foods.
If your soil needs conditioning @AnniD, I'd add it as a mulch now to protect your plant roots over winter and to protect any active soil microorganisms below. If your soil's in good condition, save it until Spring. If you are storing it for a while, roll the unopened bag on the floor a few times (like plumping up a pillow!) to make it less compacted for use later.
Farmyard manure is poo. Poo is plant food. It's a food and soil conditioner in one, but more of the former than the latter. From their website: "Westland Farmyard Manure is the perfect soil conditioner that provides the essential nutrients needed for higher crop yields. It breaks down naturally in the soil, releasing these nutrients, as well as a rich, natural source of organic matter and humus. Westland Farmyard Manure is perfect for mulching and incorporating during planting. It is also perfect for conditioning the soil for the healthy development of plants, fruits and vegetables.
I think we’ve both edited the manufacturer’s description to make our points! Both products are suitable for providing nutrients and organic material but neither are as good as genuine farmyard manure, from my experience.
Manure = plant food. It doesn't matter who you ask why manure is spread on the earth, whether it be Aunty Ethel, Boy George, Monty Don or Kev from the pub. They'll all agree it's to feed the plants. That's why it's marketed as such by Westland, so we know what it's intended for. It says on the bag it's farmyard manure so that's more than likely what it is. They can't tell you precisely how much of each element is in there because it varies. It varies because it's a naturally occurring product. It also varies because at different times of the year different poo is available. Right now you won't find cow poo because the cows are in the fields. Come Springtime there will be plenty of it.
For many years now I've looked upon organic matter as food for the soil rather than plants. I'm also of the opinion that most garden plants - veggies & ornamentals - tend to be vastly over fed or over fertilised which I think often results in reduced disease or pest resistance.
Totally agree @Chris-P-Bacon, including the bit about over feeding many plants. It's a well known fact that feeding the soil produces the healthiest, strongest plants. Always harder with thin, sandy or chalky soil types, but that's where right plant, right place comes into it. Heavy flowerers [some annuals, roses, clematis etc] need a bit extra to do their best, but most shrubs, trees and many perennials need very little help
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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I'd also do the same just before you plant it to improve the soil further and give some nutrients to your rose when you plant it.
I'd also give a little sprinkle of blood fish and bone when you plant it too, and another mulch on top of that.
I wouldn't use chicken pellets as they're mostly nitrogen, so not much use to a rose really.
I hope you have better success that I did with Dr J
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Westland Farmyard Manure is described by the manufacturer as "a rich organic compost ideal for use all around the garden. It's perfect for replenishing depleted soils, conditioning soil and improving its structure." There's no mention of the essential NPK nutrients which are normally listed on organic and synthetic plant foods.
If your soil needs conditioning @AnniD, I'd add it as a mulch now to protect your plant roots over winter and to protect any active soil microorganisms below. If your soil's in good condition, save it until Spring. If you are storing it for a while, roll the unopened bag on the floor a few times (like plumping up a pillow!) to make it less compacted for use later.
Thanks also for the tip about storage
From their website:
"Westland Farmyard Manure is the perfect soil conditioner that provides the essential nutrients needed for higher crop yields. It breaks down naturally in the soil, releasing these nutrients, as well as a rich, natural source of organic matter and humus. Westland Farmyard Manure is perfect for mulching and incorporating during planting. It is also perfect for conditioning the soil for the healthy development of plants, fruits and vegetables.
- Perfect soil conditioner – improves soil structure
- Replenishes depleted soils
- Supports strong establishment
- Rich source of organic matter
- For higher crop yields"
If you want something which leans more towards soil conditioner than food then buy their soil conditioner:Westland Bio-Life Soil Improver - Westland Garden Health
This also "replenishes depleted soils."
That's why it's marketed as such by Westland, so we know what it's intended for.
It says on the bag it's farmyard manure so that's more than likely what it is. They can't tell you precisely how much of each element is in there because it varies. It varies because it's a naturally occurring product.
It also varies because at different times of the year different poo is available. Right now you won't find cow poo because the cows are in the fields. Come Springtime there will be plenty of it.
It's a well known fact that feeding the soil produces the healthiest, strongest plants. Always harder with thin, sandy or chalky soil types, but that's where right plant, right place comes into it.
Heavy flowerers [some annuals, roses, clematis etc] need a bit extra to do their best, but most shrubs, trees and many perennials need very little help
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...