tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466385.post2638714245458899697..comments2024-03-28T23:25:07.821+00:00Comments on Jean's Knitting: Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12038517988391228260noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466385.post-90585454819981018262011-05-19T22:05:50.741+01:002011-05-19T22:05:50.741+01:00I know very little about gardening, but my web sea...I know very little about gardening, but my web search found another ending to your rhyme as well some words on the use of lime:<br /><br />"there is an old rhyme about "Using lime without manure, makes a man rich and his son poor". <br />Just a general warning in case anyone thinks of doing that. <br />I understand (vaguely) that the lime helps release nutrients from organic matter in the soil, so if you don't replenish the organic matter then the soil gets worn out."Sarah JSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466385.post-21884441102296218652011-05-19T19:44:44.664+01:002011-05-19T19:44:44.664+01:00Hello
I just stumbled across your blog and have b...Hello<br /><br />I just stumbled across your blog and have been interestedly rooting through your archives. I'm a knitter not a gardener - well not currently, I'm a village dweller with a tiny courtyard garden who is waiting on an allotment - so can contribute nothing useful re. the mulch/manure/compost debate, but I shall enjoy reading about your growing efforts nonetheless, and will definitely be back to read more of the knitterly stuff.Anniehttp://knitsofacto.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466385.post-2315159813422831192011-05-19T16:31:06.705+01:002011-05-19T16:31:06.705+01:00I use spent mushroom compost instead of lime. I do...I use spent mushroom compost instead of lime. I don't use it on every bed every year but alongside the crop rotation, usually before I plant the brassicas.<br /><br />http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=294<br /><br />Rotted manure and compost are usually neutral to mildly alkaline btw, according to the RHS in the above link.Isabellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00665920652403665430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466385.post-29720445812073975242011-05-19T15:39:52.670+01:002011-05-19T15:39:52.670+01:00Not exactly organic mulch, but I covered my veg pa...Not exactly organic mulch, but I covered my veg patch with old carpet tiles from January through to May and the result was a warm, friable weed-free garden! Bargain!Roobeedoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02395340950409421904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466385.post-42677712589814982952011-05-19T13:37:49.356+01:002011-05-19T13:37:49.356+01:00As I understand it, rotting hay (etc) temporarily ...As I understand it, rotting hay (etc) temporarily binds the nitrogen, so the soil is temporarily low in that nutrient. However, once the cellulose is fully rotted, the nitrogen again becomes available to the plants, so eventually a kind of steady state is achieved. Manure provides the nitrogen. It's possible that lime makes the soil more supportive of the good bacteria.=Tamarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466385.post-46102371706770128552011-05-19T13:12:19.063+01:002011-05-19T13:12:19.063+01:00I've used salt hay as mulch for a few years no...I've used salt hay as mulch for a few years now. The advantage over grass clippings is that there are no weed seeds that will sprout in the soil. I can lift a bale of it by myself. Cost in NJ, USA is about 20 for enough to cover a 20' by 20' garden perfectly. <br /><br />Beverly in NJAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466385.post-12347334599486074942011-05-19T11:55:26.351+01:002011-05-19T11:55:26.351+01:00..."/Makes both farm and farmer poor"
O......"/Makes both farm and farmer poor"<br /><br />Our soil consists mostly of sand, and I've found that covering it with grass clippings really helps with keeping the soil moist.Anna Dnoreply@blogger.com