Make the Most of Your Garden

 The benefit of manures has been known since historical times. Traditional farmyard and stable manures are an excellent means of adding plant feeds and bulky organic matter to the soil. This will break down into humus, which conditions the soil, improving drainage and promoting strong root action. The most productive soils are always those with high humus content, although it can be excessive which will cause locking up of trace elements. The availability and type of manure depends very much on local suppliers and many pounds per square yard considered a satisfactory dosage. It is traditional to apply manures in winter. With the reduced availability of manures, particularly in urban areas, gardeners are turning more to the bagged, processed manures. The fresh product has a high water content and when this is removed, heat treated and pulverised, a very acceptable sterile, weedfree, substance is obtained. Decomposed chicken litter produces a high analysis product, which can be applied in Spring and Summer or as a liquid feed.