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Aquatic compost
Guernsey Donkey2
Posts: 6,713
in Plants
For those with ponds - do you aquatic compost for marginal basket plants or garden soil. If using soil, should it be basic soil or can I add peat, grit, or any natural fertilizers?
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I use either aquatic compost if I have it, or poor garden soil with added grit.
Don't add peat - it will float on the surface, and don't add any fertilizers - pond plants don't need it and it will cause algae in the pond .
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
We have plenty of poor garden soil & grit, so that won't be a problem. I just wondered if there was a hard and fast rule that says you HAVE to use aquatic compost. Thank you Dovefromabove.
The GW edition that came from a beautiful garden with lots of water iris - the owners said they always used garden soil.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I just plant everything in grit and/or shingle. It accumulates silt/nutrients as you go anyway. I don't have any water lilies but this worked for massive metre high displays of purple loosestrife, brooklime, watercress, and marsh marigold.
As @Watery says, the accumulate nutrients and I find the gravel anchors them down.