[Jackypam]

I was browsing through the allotment diaries and came across a comment from the sunshineband saying that she/he was putting on the 'annual top dressing'. My fruit isn't doing too well,  maybe it needs a top dressing too.  Question is, top dressing with what?  I have compost, is that ok? 

[mumofstig]

Use home made compost or use manure - if these are in short supply then use a sprinkle of blood fish and bone.

[Trikidiki]

Wood ash will do most them some good except blueberries (too alkaline) which will prefer something to keep the ph high. eg peat, leaf mould or pine needles.

I have wood chip paths and this year acquired some more wood chip so sieved what was on the paths, returned the big stuff to the paths and used the fine material on the fruit beds. Wouldn't do it early in the season as it could cause a dip in ntrogen in the soil, later in the season that shouldn't be a problem with fruit.

[sunshineband]

I use whatever I have to hand. Last year It was part rotted leaf mould and hm compost. This year it is leaf mould as it has rotted down nicely now. I add Sulphate of Potash around the crowns first as this helps with flowering/fruiting and then add the top dressing about 3-4 ins deep.

The ground is plenty wet enough here, but if it is dry ever I give it a good soak first.

Seems to do the trick 😊😊

[BabbyAnn]

Wood ash will do most them some good except blueberries (too alkaline) which will prefer something to keep the ph high. eg peat, leaf mould or pine needles.

manure should help to lower the soil pH (acid)

All fruiting plants will benefit from potassium so a top dressing of potash / sulphate of potassium (neutral pH in solution) will be fine round blueberries

[Goosegirl]

Mushroomm compost is also good top-dressing but not on the blueberries as it is alkaline.

[Eblana]

I was just logging on to ask the same question

I am going to put a sprinkling of Potash around all my fruit before mulching with the contents of some spent grow bags and HM compost. 

My Rhubarb is in front of my trained Blackberries etc, is it ok to sprinkle the potash around the Rhubarb as well or should I use something else around these before mulching them?

[andimac]

I usually mulch around them with compost or leaf mould and hope it breaks down enough over the winter to provide a feed when needed. The last few years though I've sprinkled a few chicken manure pellets now and then and it seems to have helped the black and redcurrants and having read up on it a bit more I'll probably top dress with some blood, fish & bone or whatever else I have sitting around once spring eventually arrives.
Hadn't really tried wood ash but it might be an option. Given the temperature at home I should have plenty of that available. Does it need to be left for while beforehand?

[sunshineband]

Just long enough too cool down LOL

Store it dry to avoid potash being leached out if you are not using it straight away though

[andimac]

Surely if I put it on soon enough after emptying the fire, I could create hot beds? 

[sunshineband]

Surely if I put it on soon enough after emptying the fire, I could create hot beds? 

lol --- very briefly..................of course 😂

[Jackypam]

I knew it was worth asking, thanks everyone. Jacky

[Trikidiki]

Hadn't really tried wood ash but it might be an option. Given the temperature at home I should have plenty of that available. Does it need to be left for while beforehand?

In an episode of Gardeners Question Time a while ago the use of wood ash came up,  Matthew Wilson quoted Bob Flowerdew as having said that wood ash improves if you keep it before using. He wasn't able to say why or how it improves though. I'd imagine it would be hard to quantify as there would be so many variables.

I found a container full behind my shed a couple of weeks ago, it is probably five years old at least, I wonder if it is a good vintage.

[BabbyAnn]

My Rhubarb is in front of my trained Blackberries etc, is it ok to sprinkle the potash around the Rhubarb as well or should I use something else around these before mulching them?

as rhubarb is a stem crop, I think nitrogen (manure / chicken manure / compost / FBB) would be better (for leafy growth) otherwise you might encourage flower development (and ultimately seed) instead. 

[sunshineband]

I give rhubarb the same as the others, plus some chicken pellets, prior to mulching. Tbh, it seems to manage with nothing, I just want to be nice to it lol.

I do make sure the mulch does not cover the crown buds though