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Via Gardening Tips 'n' Ideas)
Posted by admin to Gardening on 2008-03-03, 14:14:37
To be honest, I'm a big fan of sheep manure. It's a deserved attraction because, as animal manures go, it has countless benefits - one of the major ones being it won't stink out the garden and be the cause of neighbour angst.
Odour aside, sheep manure is an incredibly versatile animal manure. One of the benefits that I like the most is its ability to be used for more than just a soil ammendment. As it's so cheap here in Australia, being the 2nd highest producer of sheep in the world (China -1st, NZ - 6th, UK - 7th and US - 11th), I've started using it as mulch. Mulch? Are you sure that's wise?
Sure it is. Sheep manure is low in nitrogen - compared to other animal manures - so it won't burn your plants. Plus, it's a natural slow-release fertiliser and this is part of the versatility of using it as a mulch. I usually pour it on to about a depth of 50mm (2") ensuring that it doesn't touch the plant's stem. Then I just water it as I would normally reticulate the garden.
I've found a local supplier where I can get guaranteed weed-free marbles at a rate of $10 for a 100L bag which is fairly cheap (comparably cow manure costs $8 for 25L and chicken approx $11+ for 25L). The only down-side is that the manure is very dry and takes a few days before it will retain enough moisture to begin breaking down.
Some gardeners will only ever dig it in to their beds arguing that unless you do it will become so hard that it will never break down. This is not the case, and when piled as high as I do you can dig into the manure mulch within a few weeks and see the layer directly above the soil beginning to decompose.
So what are the myriad of benefits for using sheep manure;
- Natural slow-release fertiliser
- Can be used as an organic mulch
- Low-odour
- Easy to handle
- Relatively inexpensive
- Fairly easy to obtain and most providers usually offer door-side delivery
- Lower in nitrogen than other manures yet still high in Phosphorous and Potassium - great for plant growth
- Depending on the source can be obtained weed-free
- Looks great
While I do use other manures in my garden - chicken in the veggie patch, horse and cow as additives for the compost heap - I much prefer sheep manure in my garden beds.
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Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-03, 13:42:08
Are you fed up with vegetables grown out of season, from who knows where which may look bright and shiny but which taste of absolutely nothing? Are you frightened as to what all those pesticides and other chemicals are doing to your family's health?
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Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-03, 13:19:00
As spring approaches in the Northern hemisphere, and autumn in the southern, the home gardener should be alert for aphids preying on their garden plants. Here are some tips for controlling them, without resorting to poisons.
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Via EnjoyGardening)
Posted by admin to Hole's Books on 2008-03-03, 11:05:00
I the first issue of Enjoy Gardening we inadvertently captioned a photo of Hemerocallis ‘Bonanza’ incorrectly as ‘Outrageous’. As you can see here, there is a huge difference between the varieties.
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The correct image of ‘Outrageous’, courtesy of www.weston-farms.com.
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The mislabeled image, published on page 39. |
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Via EnjoyGardening)
Posted by admin to What's New on 2008-03-03, 10:34:39
We are currently working on a new version of the enjoygardening.com site. With the successful launch of the new magazine it is time to give it a new look and feel.
A screenshot of the working version.
Keep a eye open for the new site with lots of new features and more great information.
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Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-03, 09:33:03
Greenhouse growing can bring amazing results, but it can be challenging. Warm weather outside can cause burning or stunting of plants inside. So what tools can we use to cool the greenhouse? Various greenhouse misting systems and misting fans can make a great addition.
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Via Dig in with Kym - The Oregonian - OregonLive.com)
Posted by admin to Questions & answers on 2008-03-03, 09:00:00
Beautiful but destructive. Got a question about how to keep deer and away from roses and lettuce. I really wish I could offer a sure-fire answer. But, to be truthful, the only way to keep deer away from garden plants...
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Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-03, 08:30:32
Once upon a time along time ago, Cottage gardeners grew herbs. Some gardening writers and a few garden designers will tell you that cottage gardens had no formality, no design or planting plan, the gardens I played in and explored did!
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Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-03, 08:30:08
So many Nassau County Gardeners hear what helps or hurts a garden but over time they have proven facts on how to keep things looking beautiful along with some insider's tricks. Here are some submitted by these warriors.
