General purpose (vegetable) fertiliser?

Discussion in 'Compost, Fertilisers & Recycling' started by Drahcir, May 16, 2023.

  1. Drahcir

    Drahcir Gardener

    Joined:
    May 16, 2023
    Messages:
    345
    Ratings:
    +1,006
    I've got some rather old pelleted chicken manure, plus some granular Growmore. I have no access this year to rotted manure, compost etc, so I'm looking for cost-effective agricultural (possibly liquid) fertiliser, maybe NPK+S, that I can get in single 25kg or 10L. Any ideas?
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    51,161
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +94,143
    You can by growmore in those plastic buckets and also chicken manure, its not cheap nowdays though.
    I dont use liquid feed other than for pots.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Freddy

      Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

      Joined:
      Jul 15, 2007
      Messages:
      9,466
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired - yay!
      Location:
      Bristol
      Ratings:
      +12,518
      Depending on the quantity involved, you can get bagged composted manure. Just a word of caution though, there have been cases of Aminopyralid contamination, indeed I was unfortunate to acquire some myself. The good news is that you can test for it by carrying out a bean test.
       
      • Informative Informative x 1
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jun 3, 2008
        Messages:
        32,450
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Surrey
        Ratings:
        +49,956
        I grow a patch of comfrey which I use to make a liquid feed for my veg patch.
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • Drahcir

          Drahcir Gardener

          Joined:
          May 16, 2023
          Messages:
          345
          Ratings:
          +1,006
          Noticed someone with bagged "farmyard manure" today. Looks expensive! I was thinking about using comfrey, but I haven't got any. Is there any reason I shouldn't use grass clippings similarly to make liquid feed?
           
        • NigelJ

          NigelJ Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Jan 31, 2012
          Messages:
          6,794
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Mad Scientist
          Location:
          Paignton Devon
          Ratings:
          +23,074
          You can get liquid Growmore from some suppliers.
          Grass clippings are sometimes used as a mulch around shrubs and bushes, but I haven't heard of them being used to make a liquid feed.
          Nettles can be used as can comfrey; stinks though and remember to dilute.
          Comfrey "Bocking 14" is often used as this is a sterile form and so doesn't selfseed all over the place.
          Comfrey is deep rooted and is supposed to bring up trace elements from the lower soil levels.
          Comfrey has been used as a herbal medicine, typically as a poultice to aid healing of cuts and broken bones.
           
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jun 3, 2008
          Messages:
          32,450
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Surrey
          Ratings:
          +49,956
          Comfrey is the best to make a liquid feed , it was bred as a high nutrition fodder crop and the leaves contain a high proportion of potassium, ideal for promoting flowers. Grass has some nitrogen and would probably make a sludge to do more harm than good.

          As Nigel says, nettles are an alternative as is borage.
           
        Loading...

        Share This Page

        1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
          By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
          Dismiss Notice