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Bark in Greenhouse soil

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  • #1

    Bark in Greenhouse soil

    Hello.

    Really amateur gardener here. Caught the big towards the end of last summer.

    I inherited a greenhouse last year and I have a question about the soil. As an amateur that I am I mixed approx 30% Bark 30% compost and 30% soil from ground. This is all filled in a raised bed. Now a few months later and a bit of researching I'm assuming the bark was a bad idea? At the time I was pondering about drainage so that was my thinking back then.
    Now, what do I do? Do I try and remove as much bark as possible or leave it? This season I am only growing toms cucs melon beets in the greenhouse.

    Cheers
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Hello and welcome to the Vine.
    I use a lot of chipped wood & bark around the garden and it composts down quite quickly. If you think the texture is "wrong" and the bark makes it difficult for you to plant into, you could dig out holes, fill with compost and plant into those.

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    • #3
      The bark will absorb some nitrogen from the soil whilst it breaks down so I'm told, so you may want to add some when planting.

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      • #4
        Thanks for the reply. The texture is fine really. It's very well diluted. My main concern is I read that bark can absorb the nutrients in the compost/soil. And perhaps problems with root grow in plants?

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Gardener4Deaf View Post
          Thanks for the reply. The texture is fine really. It's very well diluted. My main concern is I read that bark can absorb the nutrients in the compost/soil. And perhaps problems with root grow in plants?
          As they break down in the soil stuff like bark absorbs some nitrogen to assist in the process but it is only a temporary issue, until the rotting process has completed. on a practical level I'd advise making small hole as has already been said and filling this with a mixture of slow release fertilizer and new compost when planting things like tomatoes or cucumbers.

          Generally most plants need less feed when they start off growing as they are only small, but most veg requires more feed as it gets bigger - some form of powder fertilizer which you mix with water before putting it on the soil is usually the cheapest - bare in mind that plants drink all their food from the soil.

          Old greenhouse soil will be likely lacking in organic matter so adding your own homemade compost as a top layer will be a good idea, when you have some.

          Finally if you intend to grow a lot of stuff inside make some serious plans about watering if you can - the heat inside in summer, combined with plants trying to grow and fruit quickly = lots of water needed at all times. Trickle irrigation combined with a HUGE tank is probably the least labour intensive option.

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          • #6
            All fertilizers will have NPK values on them

            Nitrogen (N) – nitrogen is largely responsible for the growth of leaves on the plant.
            Phosphorus (P) – Phosphorus is largely responsible for root growth and flower and fruit development.
            Potassium (K) – Potassium is a nutrient that helps the overall functions of the plant perform correctly.

            With the additional bark in the soil, the nitrogen levels will likely deplete, and will have to use a balanced fertilizer like 8-8-8 or 10-10-10.

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            • #7
              You could mix in some grass cuttings but still use the fertiliser when you’re planting,it’s an extra to keep the bark satisfied & enough for your plants too. Some people bury logs then a pile of green,then compost,helps warm the soil but I don’t know much about it,hugelkultur-
              https://www.permaculture.co.uk/reade...ur-raised-beds
              Location : Essex

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Jungle Jane View Post
                You could mix in some grass cuttings but still use the fertiliser when you’re planting,it’s an extra to keep the bark satisfied & enough for your plants too. Some people bury logs then a pile of green,then compost,helps warm the soil but I don’t know much about it,hugelkultur-
                https://www.permaculture.co.uk/reade...ur-raised-beds
                Aye.. the green matter would build up the nitrogen and help retain moisture for the tomatoes

                .. did a bit of reading on wooden beds stuff ... but I don't have the depth of soil to make good use of it in the way I wanted ....

                It is a very good way to keep part of a poly tunnel watered. The logs and other material soak up the water and release it back to the bed during a dry spell. If the bed is partly outside the tunnel, then the water will run/filter / soak into the wood pile under the tunnel.

                Is also good for heating and retaining moisture in raised beds. Don't use any wood with preservatives in them.

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                • #9
                  Hi guys thanks for all the replies. You have been most helpful. What I will do is leave as it is and dig holes and back fill with compost as previous suggested. And I will dump grass clippings onto the surface and mulch with compost from my compost bin. This should help retain moisture too.

                  As for drip irrigation is need to have a think about that. I live in a rented property and no outdoor tap. Although i can plug a garden house into an indoor tap via window. I have a water butt too so that is an option. Maybe an aquarium pump connected to a timer?

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Gardener4Deaf View Post

                    As for drip irrigation is need to have a think about that. I live in a rented property and no outdoor tap. Although i can plug a garden house into an indoor tap via window. I have a water butt too so that is an option. Maybe an aquarium pump connected to a timer?
                    No worries - depends really on how many plants you are going to grow - if its a case of 4 or 5 tomatoes and a few cucumbers then a watering can will get the job done, as long as you aren't away for a holiday. As the numbers increase, then watering becomes more of an issue.

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                    • #11
                      The yucky alternative.
                      If you are not yet ready to plant in the greenhouse soil, urine is an excellent source of free nitrogen. Best used fairly fresh and just pour it over the soil now. It will aid and speed any decomposition leaving the soil very fertile when your plants need it. Best not to gather urine from people taking steroids and certain strong medicines, otherwise its free and plentiful. You don't need to do it daily or anything, once every ten days for a month will make a huge difference and the smell dissappears within hours as long as you don't over do it.

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                      • #12
                        Doesn't urine add ammonia?

                        I'm pretty happy to follow the advice of digging holes and backfull with fresh compost at planting time. Should do the trick for this season at least and will mulch as much as I can

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