top dressing

A

anzohaze

Well-Known Member
How much do yall top dress with each ammendment?
Kelp
karanja
Neem
fish bone meal
oyster shell flour
alfalfa
I am wanting to log all this into journal for future references. I mean in 15 gal pots so I was gonna use kelp, karanja, Neem crab, in 1/4 cup amount per 15 gallons.

I also read too dressing with leaves for moisture purposes. Any leaves better then other or should I shy away from. I am having a nice run so ft except for 2 messed up plants but have no idea want to do to them. I have no other problems just trying to stay ahead and continue learning

Thanks
anzo
 
greasemonkeymann

greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
anzohaze said:
How much do yall top dress with each ammendment?
Kelp
karanja
Neem
fish bone meal
oyster shell flour
alfalfa
I am wanting to log all this into journal for future references. I mean in 15 gal pots so I was gonna use kelp, karanja, Neem crab, in 1/4 cup amount per 15 gallons.

I also read too dressing with leaves for moisture purposes. Any leaves better then other or should I shy away from. I am having a nice run so ft except for 2 messed up plants but have no idea want to do to them. I have no other problems just trying to stay ahead and continue learning

Thanks
anzo
Click to expand...
you got any comfrey?
That's all I use for topdress nowadays..
A 50/50 mix of screened ewc and my compost, and shredded comfrey, probably about two leaves per plant, big leaves though.
I've used alfalfa and ewc, I've used kelp meal and bat guano before.
It's not a science but i'd not add more than maybe half a shot glass of any amendments you add.
Maybe a full shot glass if its a 12 gal or bigger.
BUT, I am a light feeder, and my compost I fortified pretty well as it composted, adding minerals, leftover guanos, alfalfa meals (lots), kelp meal, neem meal and fish bone meal.
The weird thing is, after it's all composted, I can literally sprout seeds in this, and I KNOW its loaded with nutrients.... Pretty cool.
homemade compost and homemade worm castings...
Two MUST HAVES...
 
Pattahabi

Pattahabi

Well-Known Member
anzohaze said:
How much do yall top dress with each ammendment?
Kelp
karanja
Neem
fish bone meal
oyster shell flour
alfalfa
I am wanting to log all this into journal for future references. I mean in 15 gal pots so I was gonna use kelp, karanja, Neem crab, in 1/4 cup amount per 15 gallons.

I also read too dressing with leaves for moisture purposes. Any leaves better then other or should I shy away from. I am having a nice run so ft except for 2 messed up plants but have no idea want to do to them. I have no other problems just trying to stay ahead and continue learning

Thanks
anzo
Click to expand...
I would not add crab meal or oyster shell (maybe in small amounts). I would mix up your amendments with about 1/2-1 gallon of ewc per plant, maybe a little aeration. And then yes, cover with leaves. The only leaves I can think of that you might not want to use are black walnut.

P-
 
A

anzohaze

Well-Known Member
Yeah I am logging all this shit down as my brain fails me alot and I begin to second guess myself a lot as well. I have no comfrey I did top dress with some kelp a few days ago. I just to make sure but like magnolia leaves will he good to cover soil with as they big and I have plenty.. everything else around me is pine straw or oak leaves
 
A

anzohaze

Well-Known Member
greasemonkeymann said:
you got any comfrey?
That's all I use for topdress nowadays..
A 50/50 mix of screened ewc and my compost, and shredded comfrey, probably about two leaves per plant, big leaves though.
I've used alfalfa and ewc, I've used kelp meal and bat guano before.
It's not a science but i'd not add more than maybe half a shot glass of any amendments you add.
Maybe a full shot glass if its a 12 gal or bigger.
BUT, I am a light feeder, and my compost I fortified pretty well as it composted, adding minerals, leftover guanos, alfalfa meals (lots), kelp meal, neem meal and fish bone meal.
The weird thing is, after it's all composted, I can literally sprout seeds in this, and I KNOW its loaded with nutrients.... Pretty cool.
homemade compost and homemade worm castings...
Two MUST HAVES...
Click to expand...
I got to make a screen to strain my ewc as I have a decent amount buy no way to strain so I just keep dumpING more compostable shit on top oh well. I also feed them ammendments I need to really make a bigger ewe bin as I have a decent amount by no were near enough to cover all with even an inch of ewe so I need some big totes
 
greasemonkeymann

greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
anzohaze said:
I got to make a screen to strain my ewc as I have a decent amount buy no way to strain so I just keep dumpING more compostable shit on top oh well. I also feed them ammendments I need to really make a bigger ewe bin as I have a decent amount by no were near enough to cover all with even an inch of ewe so I need some big totes
Click to expand...
I don't use that much EWC, I only cover the top maybe quarter inch, water it through slowly, any more and it tends to "muck", meaning it's too thick and when it dries out it has too much soil tension.
 
A

anzohaze

Well-Known Member
greasemonkeymann said:
I don't use that much EWC, I only cover the top maybe quarter inch, water it through slowly, any more and it tends to "muck", meaning it's too thick and when it dries out it has too much soil tension.
Click to expand...
Hahaha the last time I top dressed (I found a local guy) I bought hell probably 3 bucket fulls of ewc and top dressed like 2 inches and talking about turning into a rock I had to like chip it away so I learned not so much next time
 
Last edited:
greasemonkeymann

greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
anzohaze said:
I got to make a screen to strain my ewc as I have a decent amount buy no way to strain so I just keep dumpING more compostable shit on top oh well. I also feed them ammendments I need to really make a bigger ewe bin as I have a decent amount by no were near enough to cover all with even an inch of ewe so I need some big totes
Click to expand...
just hit up a fabric or craft store, and make that needlepoint screen.
It's easy, go buy those Ziploc plastic containers, some green zipties, and aforementioned needlepoint screen, and you'd have a screen in less than a half hour
Also works kick-ass on compost too.
 
Pattahabi

Pattahabi

Well-Known Member
anzohaze said:
Hahaha the last time I top dressed (I found a local guy) I bought hell probably 3 bucket fulls of ewc and top dressed like 2 inches and talking about turning into a rock I had to like chip it away so I learned not so much next time
Click to expand...
Mix some amendments, aeration, thermal compost etc in with your castings till you get the tilth you're looking for. Then make sure you cover it well with some leaves, straw, compost, etc.

P-
 
A

anzohaze

Well-Known Member
greasemonkeymann said:
just hit up a fabric or craft store, and make that needlepoint screen.
It's easy, go buy those Ziploc plastic containers, some green zipties, and aforementioned needlepoint screen, and you'd have a screen in less than a half hour
Also works kick-ass on compost too.
Click to expand...
I never thought of a fabric store for the plastic screen thing you stole from.your gf
 
st0wandgrow

st0wandgrow

Well-Known Member
greasemonkeymann said:
just hit up a fabric or craft store, and make that needlepoint screen.
It's easy, go buy those Ziploc plastic containers, some green zipties, and aforementioned needlepoint screen, and you'd have a screen in less than a half hour
Also works kick-ass on compost too.
Click to expand...
greasemonkeymann said:
hehe... shhhh...
she hasn't noticed yet...
Click to expand...
My mother in law knits like a mofo. I'm going to steal one from her and hope she doesn't notice....

I'm still not sure how you made yours, but I will figure it out. I just harvested a cubic foot of castings by just thumbing through it and picking the worms out. Never again. :cuss:
 
greasemonkeymann

greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
st0wandgrow said:
My mother in law knits like a mofo. I'm going to steal one from her and hope she doesn't notice....

I'm still not sure how you made yours, but I will figure it out. I just harvested a cubic foot of castings by just thumbing through it and picking the worms out. Never again. :cuss:
Click to expand...
it's simple, in fact im sure I could do a better job again, but I was just screwing around, but it worked so well I am keeping it.
I rolled the needlepoint screen up like a toilet paper roll, and placed the end of it inside a disposable plastic Ziploc container (like the little ones they sell at the store), then I put tiny holes around the Ziploc container to be able to attach the twist-ties, the other end I keep open so I can load it up with EWC/compost.
here are some pics, you can see the "seam" where I used the ties to keep the screen a secure tube shape, and the bottom fits perfectly inside.
when you fill it, you simply match another Ziploc container at the other end and hold it there when you shake it, then it'll come out super fluffy and pure as can be.
PLUS almost ALL of the worms make it through this (even cocoons), the plastic needlepoint is softer than say a metal screen, so the worms are all good, no damage. The only ones small enough to make it through are the really young transparent worms that are like less than a day or two old.
Maybe these pics will help a lil, i'm sure you could make it all sorts of ways..
I can do a cubic foot of castings in about an hour, i'd say. Add some coffee and maybe I could do it in 35-45 mins, a cubic foot is a lot though.
I LOVE this screen for compost too...
To "catch" the castings I used an old vermifire bag, just sliced open the sides to make it about a square yard or so.
 

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st0wandgrow

st0wandgrow

Well-Known Member
anzohaze said:
Do yall use any strain or Breed of comfrey. Is it invasive? If so I will put into the woods around house and let it grow
Click to expand...
greasemonkeymann said:
mine is the regular one, and YES, it's invasive... like big time.
I can't remember the name of the sterile one...
Something 13.... starts with a "b" I think...
Ahh I looked it up, it's bocking 14 cultivar
Click to expand...
Bocking 14 cultivar is sterile

edit: Never mind. Grease got it
 
Pattahabi

Pattahabi

Well-Known Member
anzohaze said:
Do yall use any strain or Breed of comfrey. Is it invasive? If so I will put into the woods around house and let it grow
Click to expand...
Look for bocking 14

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfrey
Comfrey should be harvested by using either shears, a sickle, or a scythe to cut the plant about 2 inches above the ground, taking care handling it because the leaves and stems are covered in hairs that can irritate the skin. It is advisable to wear gloves when handling comfrey. Despite being sterile, Bocking 14 Russian Comfrey will steadily increase in size. It is therefore advisable to split it up every few years (and at the same time propagate more plants that can be shared with fellow gardeners!). It is however difficult to remove comfrey once established as it is very deep rooting, and any fragments left in the soil will regrow. Rotovation can be successful, but may take several seasons. The best way to eradicate comfrey is to very carefully dig it out, removing as much of the root as possible. This is best done in hot, dry summer weather, wherein the dry conditions will help to kill off any remaining root stumps.

P-
 
A

anzohaze

Well-Known Member
greasemonkeymann said:
mine is the regular one, and YES, it's invasive... like big time.
I can't remember the name of the sterile one...
Something 13.... starts with a "b" I think...
Ahh I looked it up, it's bocking 14 cultivar
Click to expand...
Cool I'll get some. as I was reading up on comfrey it says the leaves are amazing and has everything good wise in it. Do you give stem and roots to earthwoorms are do yup just let it keep growing as its a perennial.... thanks pattahabi that answered my question lol
 
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