Organic Feed and Fertilisers have a good long term effect on soil, plants and the environment.

Compost Bin to create compost for digging into the soil to improve it or to put around plants as mulch.

Fertilisers are mixtures that are used to replace the nutrients that have been taken from the soil by plants as they grow. Gloves should always be worn when handling fertilisers.

• These are natural products of plant or animal origin which break down into the soil.

• Organic fertilizers have a long term effect and cause fewer problems for plants and the environment.

• Good organic fertilisers include home made compost, mushroom compost, manure, leafmold; blood, fish and bone meal.

• Plants in containers and baskets must be fed regularly in order to ensure continued growth. Slow release pellets can be added when planting up. If fertilizer is not added throughout the growing period, the plants use up all the food in the compost very quickly and then become starved.

• Follow the directions very carefully if using manufactured liquid feeds. In general these feeds should be used every two weeks throughout the growing season. Give slightly less in the first and last month. Make sure the compost is moist before applying the liquid feed so as to avoid damaging the roots.



• Manure is a very strong fertilizer and should be dug into the soil the autumn before planting. Alternatively it can be mixed into the compost heap and left to decompose. Good sources of manure are riding schools, farms and pigeon lofts. Chicken manure is readily available in containers and just has to be sprinkled on the soil and dug in.
  



• Mushroom compost can be obtained from mushroom farms. It comprises compost which has been used for the growing of mushrooms. When no longer needed for that purpose it makes a fine soil conditioner. It is very alkaline so is good for balancing acidic soils.
  
  
  
• Comfrey leaves make good home made fertilizers. These can be grown in small corners or even in large pots. The leaves can be picked several times during the growing season. Pick the leaves and put into a sack. Place the sack into a container of water and leave to soak for at least a week. The resultant liquid is a bit smelly but can be diluted and used on plants. It makes a very rich liquid feed. The leaves can be added to the compost bin.
  
  
  
• Leafmold is a good natural resource. Collect up leaves every autumn. Put into a wire cage and allow to rot down. It makes a fine crumbly, very rich nutritious mixture.