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Soil
Jenny Humphreys
Posts: 1
How can I refresh my planters for a new year of growing without having to buy all new soil. I work in a school and they have been used for a few years and I think the soil will be lacking in nutrients now. It is a primary school so obviously child friendly methods will be needed.
Thanks
0
Posts
The easiest would be to use an organic fertiliser like fish, blood and bone. Apply at the rate specified on the packet and mix it in to the surface using a hand fork. This will work fine if the planters contain soil, or a soil-based compost, such as a John Innes number 3. However, if the planters contain only multi-purpose compost, you would be better advised to consider replacing it with a soil-based compost which would last for many years if treated as above.
I agree with Bob. If the planters currently contain old multi-purpose compost it most probably contains a lot of peat, which is now one of the UK's most threatened habitats, (maybe this could be topic of a lesson for your children). In the long run it is better to use a soil based compost
Peat beds are threatened becouse the Irish power stations burn 3 million tons of it every year, although they are trying to cut this back. The amount used for garden products is 4%. Lots of info on the net.