[philD]

I have just done a soil test on my allotment, and got the following results:-pH 5.0, Nitrogen Very Low, Phosphorous Low, Potash Low.
 
I do have Potatoes, Peas, Runner Beans, and onions showing through, but apart from how to adjust my pH level, which to me looks OK the instructions given with the test kit are in my opinion very vague.

Any comments/ suggestions would be much appreciated and taken on board, many thanks


Phil

[WG.]

Never done a soil test in my life.  Is this your first year on that piece of ground?  Do you want to fix it organically?

[philD]

To be honest with you in all the years of watching my dad gardening, and hes 77 now, I can never recollect him doing a soil test, but it was only 88p so why not, yes this is my first year on this allotment, in fact my first year at growing veggies...

I'd like to try orgainic gardening methods, but how hard will it be to fix? and what needs to be fixed??

Phil

[WG.]

Well lime and manure in large quantities are the long-term fix to all the problems raised by your soil test.  But never add them at the same time.

Have you got comfrey?  Are your potatoes earlies or maincrop?

Short-term you can buy dried blood for a nitrogen boost on some crops e.g. onions but don't wait too long or they won't ripen for you.

[philD]

thanks for that reply, my spuds have been in the ground for about 2 weeks now, but I'm not sure what you pros would call them?? potatoes were always potatoes till I started on here :?

I plan to put a load of manure down at the end of the season, or when everyone does theirs!!!

I don't have any comfrey yet as I have not seen it about.

The last person on my plot was "organic" although I don't know if it was ever dug over, judging by the amount of turf sods around in piles and walls...

Is dries blood an "organically" acceptable thing?

thanks again

Phil

[WG.]

thanks for that reply, my spuds have been in the ground for about 2 weeks now, but I'm not sure what you pros would call them?? potatoes were always potatoes till I started on here :? [do you know the variety?]

I plan to put a load of manure down at the end of the season, or when everyone does theirs!!!  [you could mulch potatoes now]

I don't have any comfrey yet as I have not seen it about. [get some asap, PM me if stuck]

The last person on my plot was "organic" although I don't know if it was ever dug over, judging by the amount of turf sods around in piles and walls...

Is dries blood an "organically" acceptable thing? [yes]

thanks again

Phil

My replies in red above

[John]

pH of 5 is very acid - apart from the potatoes most vegetables prefer pH 6.5 to 7.  Take a look at my article on Garden Lime
Manure will help bring the nutrients up - in the meantime use fish, blood and bone to increase general nutrient levels.  It's not been organically managed, it's been ignored!

If I was you I'd lime this autumn after digging and then mix in a load of muck in early spring.

[philD]

Hi Whisky_Golf and John,
Firstly the potatoes are Sante, and a few that may be Kng Ewards that started sprutting in their bag!!

What would you recommend mulching with? we use tree bark in the garden at home.

Excuse my ignorance but do I just grow Comfrey and compost it?

thanks again

Phil

[John]

Hello, you might like to look at my article on Comfrey
Hopefully that will answer all your questions about comfrey.

[WG.]

Firstly the potatoes are Sante, and a few that may be Kng Ewards that started sprutting in their bag!!

What would you recommend mulching with? we use tree bark in the garden at home.

Manure.  Rotted.   Tree bark will ROB nitrogen rather than supply it.  Do it before the tatties close the drills - these are early maincrop and maincrop respectively.

[philD]

I have now bought myself some organic comfrey, 3 good plants for £4.00, they will be planted this evening.

Phil

[John]

You should be able to split one next spring into as many plants as you could want.

It's great stuff. But beware, comfrey tea is smelly stuff.

[noshed]

And when John says smelly, he means it. My bucket is already bluebottle heaven.