I do hope that you weren’t one of those people who did not come to the Gardening Club meeting because of the title of this talk!\u00a0 After all, you might have thought, ‘how can such a subject be interesting?’\u00a0 In the event over 40 people did take a chance and did not regret their decision.\u00a0 The speaker, David Coop held our interest for more than an hour<\/p>\n
David comes from a scientific background, working now at Elsoms Seeds but spent many years with Westland Horticulture. Here he had participated in and led projects into perfecting the ‘perfect compost’.\u00a0 This involved growing the same kind of plants in different composts and comparing the results. Pictures of his own beautiful Rutland garden assured us that we could trust his judgement. (He still praises Westland compost as one of the best compost products)<\/p>\n
Why do we use compost?\u00a0 Well, choose wisely and and it will achieve better results than garden soil. Some products may have too much water, not enough nutrients, some may have weeds growing in the compost (yes, it does happen).\u00a0 Do examine the small print on the bags!\u00a0 Of course you cannot expect old compost to be as good as fresh compost so go to a garden centre with a good turnover, where the compost is under cover to stop rain damage.\u00a0 Do remember David’s advice – if you are not happy after opening the bag, complain!\u00a0 The seller will record your comments and show them to the appropriate salesman when (s)he next visits.\u00a0 Good firms will take note and take action!<\/p>\n
Compost could contain peat, wood fibres, composted bark, grit, sand, fertiliser, anaerobic digestate(?), green waste – clothing, tin foil etc – David assures us that these do not affect the quality of the compost.\u00a0 Most people prefer compost with\u00a0 sphagnum peat moss – a very popular soil amendment because of its ability to help sandy soil hold moisture, and helps clay soil loosen up and drain better. The moss grows in wetlands which are now protected.<\/p>\n
Research continues apace to find effective peat-free compost which is improving every year.\u00a0 Westlands are beginning to replace peat with coir, bark or wood fibre. (Did you know that Chinese mattresses are made from coir?) Take care with your own composting attempts – no perennial weeds, lawn clippings please.\u00a0 Caution is also needed when purchasing compost from non-specialist centres (e.g. recycling centres perhaps) who may, unwittingly, have used compost which contained bindweed and other horrors.<\/p>\n
Just as we were getting brain-ache we were given a short informative and amusing quiz with prizes!\u00a0 A really good meeting – we will invite him again!<\/p>\n
Mary Duff (Chair F&TG Club)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I do hope that you weren’t one of those people who did not come to the Gardening Club meeting because of the title of this talk!\u00a0 After all, you might have thought, ‘how can such a subject be interesting?’\u00a0 In … Continue reading