Been to Garden Class.

Been to Garden Class, today we learned about fertilisers. I know it sounds boring, but it wasn't. It turned out to be interesting, and there was a lot to laugh about, plus a lot of notes to take.
Leading to lots to think about.

Compost = What is it? It can be 2 things. One a growing medium, or Two Decaying matter (as in compost bin useage). That the soil needs to be warmed to six degrees for anything to grow in it. You need to understand your soils'composition, is it too wet? Is it too dry? Is it in good heart?
Do you need to add anything to it? Does your soil have "frost pockets"? Does it have a "Micro climate?"

Manure = A natural Organic matter, or inorganic = this is manufactured or mined. These are added to the soil to improve condition, water retention, or drainage . Digging over soil and digging in manure and/or fertiliser is puting nutrients back into soil.

Plant requirements: Leaves/foliage = colour and growth need Nitrogen
Root development need Phospherous.
Flowers/fruiting need K = Potassium/potash.
Timing of fertilising plants is important, you have to think ahead, not all plants need feeding at the same time, and not all season. Some need feeding before planting, some when plant is growing, sme in the dormant season. (i.e., something like Camillas need feeding in the summer before they flower in the spring.) Understand your plants requirement.

Discussions on feeding 1.root systems, is there sufficient in Seed Compost? 2. Plant growth stimulants - a lot are phopherous added to water. Bio Stimulants = Seaweed based. 3. It a packet is labelled "Organic", it has to be approved by, or produced by The Organic Soil Association.

We nned to undertand, that when we plant a new plant, it needs to have time - Year 1. Sleeping.
Year 2. Developing root sytem. Year 3. Leaf development. After this you can expect Flowers and Fruit.

There was a lot of notes to take, which has lead to a lot of things to think about and understand.
A good Class, enjoyed by all.