What do you feed to your veg

[Elaineb]

Do you use the same feed on all veg or different composites for different veggies....What do you think of blood, fish & bone? Is it safe? I was told by a neighbour that it can be dangerous to plants and humans. When I asked her why she said she was told this by.....someone

When do you feed, how much, how and what to each different veggie species:

E x

[Capsid]

I use chicken manure pellets. Blood fish and bone is also highly recommended. I don't see why it's unsafe, although here is the safety data sheet.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/content/ebiz...shh/189493.pdf

It has the usual risks from inhaling dust and eye irritation. Nothing serious though. It's good you asked, these word of mouth stories always get exaggerated and are invariably incorrect.

As for feeding, use it when the plants are putting on growth in the spring normally and when you plant out the seedlings.

[Elaineb]

Thanks for that, coz I added some to my potato bag and was getting a bit concerned that I might poision the family BTW my spuds are showing signs of life now...I'm like a kid in a sweet shop I was getting quite worried about them as they have been in for about 5 weeks (yea I know) but at long last there is signs of life!!!

E x

[sweetiepea]

With potatoes I firstly line the drill with well rotted animal manure (horse or cow), pop in the seed, cover and then leave alone. I don't feed them anything else. I don't feed root veg either. Last year I used homemade nettle fertiliser, and prior to this I used my own liquid fertiliser made from animal manure (sheep or cow). Both of these were applied to brassicas and legums. Grapes on here can't say enough about the virtues of comfrey leaves and tea. The 'tea' is great for fruiting plants. I'm growing it for the first time this year, and can't wait to try it for myself.

[Elaineb]

So how do you do that then, Comfrey tea?

E x

[sweetiepea]

Use the search function at the top of the page and search for 'comfrey tea recipe'. This will bring you to a useful thread of the same name. Just search for 'comfrey' and you'll find loads more info about the plant. If you decide to buy comfrey, be sure to purchase the bocking 14 variety as this doesn't self seed. The wild variety does and can become a real problem.

[Elaineb]

Use the search function at the top of the page and search for 'comfrey tea recipe'. This will bring you to a useful thread of the same name. Just search for 'comfrey' and you'll find loads more info about the plant. If you decide to buy comfrey, be sure to purchase the bocking 14 variety as this doesn't self seed. The wild variety does and can become a real problem.

Thanks Sweetiepea

[Hermit]

I do always mix in a bit of manure, blood fish and bone, but i feed with qvc's richard jacksons plant food, and the results last year were great, it has more potash in than any other feed so that helps as well, 1 pack makes 150 gallons, now they have a bigger pack out whats more economical. All 5 star ratings on there site.

Search Results

[Flummery]

I tend to feed the soil - then bang the veg in and let them get on with it! I would only feed tomatoes etc which I want to set lots of fruit.
I use home made garden compost, chicken manure (pelleted previously, now real) and blood, fish and bone meal.

[Alison]

In addition to feeding the soil with manure / chicken manure, compost, worm casts, I have had good results with comfrey tea, worm wee and nettle tea with the comfrey being used on fruiting plants and the nettle on leafy green stuff to give it a boost every now and again.

[Rabidbun]

I've used coffee grounds for leaf growth on my chillies, seaweed and tomato feed on tomatoes and chillies and chicken poo pellets on pretty much everything else (even added em to carrots last year and got huge forking, oops! ).

This year I am trying fish, blood and bone in the soil before planting, with chicken poo pellets on top, also manure on some of my tomatoes, squashes and potatoes.

[Two_Sheds]

This year I am trying fish, blood and bone in the soil before planting, with chicken poo pellets on top, also manure on some of my tomatoes, squashes and potatoes.

More isn't necessarily better

BFB is a balanced slow release organic fertiliser (Growmore is the artificial equivalent)

Chicken poo is alkaline (so I wouldn't use it on my spuds because they get scab), and high in nitrogen (but less so than BFB). Nitrogen is good for leaf growth (brassicas) but less good for fruiting plants.

Farmyard manure is a good soil improver (humus), but has less nutrient than chicken poop or BFB. You want something high in potash for toms & squashes.

[Rabidbun]

More isn't necessarily better
BFB is a balanced slow release organic fertiliser (Growmore is the artificial equivalent)
Chicken poo is alkaline (so I wouldn't use it on my spuds because they get scab), and high in nitrogen (but less so than BFB). Nitrogen is good for leaf growth (brassicas) but less good for fruiting plants.
Farmyard manure is a good soil improver (humus), but has less nutrient than chicken poop or BFB. You want something high in potash for toms & squashes.

I may go scrape the chicken poo off the strawberries then, thanks (and not put it on the tatties - that explains a lot about the late season potatoes last year and the scabby bits!)!

I shall admit to getting a bit carried away with all the tubs of stuff that I had to use up this year.

[Lovely Helen]

I use BFB but remember seeing somewhere that if you have any cuts on your hands you should wear gloves to apply it.

I am also going to try chicken manure pellets this year as my friend swears by them.

[tamsin]

I use rabbit poop under squash, melon, peas, beans, onions and leeks. BFB in the final containners/ground when I plant out most stuff and tom food for anything that is fruiting eg toms, peppers, aubergines etc. I don't know how right that is though.