http://www.htv10.com/nature/020721/ch2/index.html
I found this at the Rose Forum. Neatly done and covers most of the basics on one page.
Organic Foods and stuff
LOL Scoot, I just got done reading this on Elanie's thread.
I also found this page the other day on the rose forum. I learned a few new things from it!
http://davesgarden.com/terms/go/2294/
Thanks to both of you - copied it all and put it in my garden notebook - great info!!
Thanks Kell.
On your link ............ I like that gals way of thinking .. re: a 32 Gallon trash can full
I've been using alfalfa on my brugs this year with great results. They are really growing fast. I found out about alfalfa over on the GardenWeb roses forum - a lot of people use it on their roses. I just mix the alfalfa pellets with the soil and don't bother with the stinky 'tea' preparation. It works just as well. FYI, I remember some people mentioning that the smell of the alfalfa (also fish emulsion) can attract dogs. So if you have a digging dog you might want to be careful using organic fertilizers.
BUMP
Ok is alfalfa just like using rabbit food??? Cos I gots lots of rabbit food. Now what do I do with it Tom?
BrugAddict, you probably want horse feed instead of rabbit chow. The rabbit food usually has added salt (very bad for plants!). The horse feed is usually just plain old alfalfa. It won't make any difference if it's in pellets, cubes, or loose form. If you have established plants, just spread 1 to 2 cups of alfalfa around the plant, depending on the size of the plant, and water it in well. This is not a scientific process, other people may have different opinions so just do what works best for you.
I have heard that sometimes dogs and other critters find the smell of newly applied alfalfa attractive so they might dig around your garden. That's not a problem in my yard since there are no dogs roaming around (leash laws) and suburban sprawl has long since eliminated all the wildlife except for rabbits and squirrels. And the rabbits would much rather eat my flowers than soggy alfalfa pellets.
I used to think I would be having every rodent within miles over for dinner when I started using alfalfa pellets. LOL
None yet!
Does anyone know about molasses mixed into the pellets? Ma Vie said hers have molasses in them. I talked to 2 feed store owners and they said the pellets do not have molaases. They did have a gloopy mix of alfalfa hay with oat hay and it was sticky with molasses. The guy said it may have seed in it so I was afraid to try it.
I discovered an easy and mosquito free way to mix it and let it sit and brew. Home Depot sells a plastic paint bucket that is not too big to carry when full, and for 99 cents more you can get a sturdy top! I move the bucket with the alfalfa pellets, some Epson salts and some fish emulsion to the place I need to fertilize. I then hose in the water and cover the pot so the mosquitos can't lay their eggs.
I leave it for a few days then dump it out over the area I want to have it.
I am trying this recipe now.
http://davesgarden.com/terms/go/2294/
This message was edited Jul 7, 2004 11:11 PM
I mix mine in a thirty gallon garbage can with a lid and just dip my bucket in to fill it.
I tried this last week, and P U (it stinks). I splashed some on my leg and foot and had to go wash it off I smelled so bad. What we do for our plants.
lol but they are sooooo pretty as an end result lol
It does stink! But the flies do not seem to love it. The smell immediately dissipates when used.
Mary has me trying sea kelp this week and that is so smelly also! Too expensive too. Cost me $24 a gallon. And the flies seem to love it. I need to find out if I got the same brand Mary recommended.
lol Kell, you're too cute
Another added to Word for my brug documents! Thanks SB!
I don't think it matters what brand of kelp you get, but kelp is much more effective used as a foliar feed. I did buy a 50 lb bag of kelp meal that I mix in the soil when I repot my plants, but they really prefer the foliar feed of the kelp liquid. Just be sure to spray either very early in the morning, or the best would be late in the evening, when the leaves have turned upward in their "sleeping" position.
Do they absorb better from the under leaf?
I always wonder if you spray when it dries right away if they do not get the most out of it but if they stay dripping wet for awhile if it is better.