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Fish, Blood and Bone
in Talkback
Hello,
I'm new to this so apologies in advance! I've read that I should apply Fish, Blood and Bone to my plants every 6-8 weeks during the growing season and I was hoping to do that today, but I've realised that I'm not sure if I should apply it to all the plants? What about things that prefer an acid soil like camillias and heathers? Should I avoid them or should I dig in a wee sprinkle around everything? Many thanks - I'll learn eventually!
with best wishes - heather
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I'm bumping this up for you. I only apply FBB in the spring. I scatter it lightly around plants on the ground and then just hoe it in. I use other feeds during the year to encourage and sustain flowering such as Clematis feed and rose fertilizer. I'm sure other more knowledgable gardeners on this site will jump in and help you.
I was told to put bone meal around my veg and fruit plants do I dig it in or just water the compost and let it soak in? Also I'm growing potatoes in bags do I leave them to the elements? They are very wet and I have put holes in
Camellia's and heathers will benefit from FBB and an ericaceous feed so do both. Heathers don't need that much feed and like a poorer soil, so don't go mad. Camellia's also love tanin, so empty the teapot or collect the t- bags and empty the contents around them.
Excellent! Thanks very much everyone! I'll be outside doing my fertilising in the morning! Happy days!
Watch out for foxes. It attracts them. I suppose they think there's something to eat. They've excavated a few shrubs so I don't use it now.
Oh my! I didn't know that!! I'll make sure I mix it in carefully and thoroughly around the base of the plants. Many thanks for the word of warning!
Don't use fbb if you have foxes in the area, it makes no difference how much you dig it in, foxes will attempt to dig the fbb out and in doing so ruin your garden. Use compost in spring to mulch and a slow release in pots or baskets. Works for me
Well said MDW84, I think there is far too much feed stuffs going around these days. Far better to start a compost heap, add some farmyard manure, you can buy this at a garden centre if you are not near a farm, put this on nice and thick in the late Autumn, or early Spring, thats all you need.
Having said that, if you have acid soil, as I have, you will need to add lime if you want to grow cabbages, or any brassica.
Get some high potash plant food for tomatoes, tubs and baskets, but not too early, make your plants work before you make them too cosy.
We have some fantastic gardens down here in Cornwall, they dont douse the ground with FBB through the year, also the heathers on the Moors here are fantastic, no one goes up there feeding them.