Compost
Compost is the best way to improve your soil’s structure: it is the ultimate soil conditioner. Compost is more than just organic matter, it is an entire ecosystem. Compost increases the ability of soil to hold and release essential nutrients. In clay soil, it helps maintain the soil’s porosity so that air and water can move freely through the soil. In sandy soils, compost greatly improves water retention and helps keep fertilizer and nutrients in the root zone and prevents them from being leached into the ground water. Compost also has antifungal properties and contains micro-organisms that improve soil fertility and help plants resist harmful insects. The recommended dose for optimizing plant health without the risk of root-burn is one or two cm of ripe compost applied every year to the base of your plants.
Organic Sea Compost
Sea compost is a micro-organism rich product made from sea shells and other organic sea materials. Sea compost is high in calcium, potassium and other nutrients plants need. It is very effective at regenerating the soil and providing a mid-season boost for container plants. It is odorless, naturally weed-free and encourages healthy plant growth. It is also an ideal lawn top-dresser.
Use and guidelines
- Lawn: spread 3 mm evenly on the surface
- Planter: add to the bottom of the container
- Flower beds and vegetable garden: when planting, mix 1 part compost to 3 parts soil. For maintenance, spread 2 cm over existing garden beds and incorporate into the soil. Let the earthworms do the rest of the work – they can turn your compost under the soil for you!
Manure
Manure is the ‘black gold’ of the gardening world. It consists of the excrement of herbivorous animals – horses, sheep, poultry or cows – to which an organic matter is mixed. It contains a rich and wide range of minerals and nutrients. It provides abundant amounts of the three main chemicals your plants need: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Importantly, it also contains many of the micro-nutrients that are essential for plant growth and health.
Composted Sheep Manure
Nutrient-rich sheep manure is a natural slow-release fertilizer, high in both phosphorus and potassium, essential elements for optimal plant growth. These nutrients help plants to establish strong roots, defend against pests and grow into vibrant and productive plants. This compost is derived from sheep manure and peat moss.
Use and guidelines
- Flower beds and vegetable garden: when planting, mix 1 part manure with 3 parts soil, and for maintenance, spread 2 cm over the surface and incorporate into the soil.
Lime
Liming garden soil reduces the acidity of the soil by raising the pH level. Plants can’t get the nutrients they need from soil that is too acid. The pH level is a number that describes how acid or alkaline a soil is, and when that is determined through soil analysis, you’ll know how much lime to use. When the pH is less than 6.0, it is necessary to lime.
Dolomitic Granulated Lime
Dolomitic lime is ground magnesium limestone that is rich in calcium and magnesium. The granules dissolve rapidly into the soil.
Use and guidelines
For equal distribution, use a spreader and make two passes, one perpendicular to the second, spreading half the quantity with each pass.