Soils, Fertilizers and Composting Soils, Fertilizers and Composting Fri, 13 Mar 2026 23:08:54 +0000 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 23:08:54 +0000 UBC Botanical Garden Forums https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/soils-fertilizers-and-composting.41/ Seaweed in the garden? Mon, 14 Apr 2014 21:49:29 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/seaweed-in-the-garden.14528/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/seaweed-in-the-garden.14528/ invalid@example.com (OstaraGypsy) OstaraGypsy
1. can i just add fresh seaweed to my garden beds? will the saltyness hurt the soil? i have heard you can just dig it in around the beds, but always have hesitated with the saltyness. would rinsing it first help?

2. how would one go...

Seaweed in the garden?]]> 18 manure in vancouver Sun, 17 Nov 2013 05:02:31 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/manure-in-vancouver.31067/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/manure-in-vancouver.31067/ invalid@example.com (bhirani) bhirani
i've got a line on some mushroom compost, but i'm not too excited about paying for it...]]> 14 Preparing liquid fertilizer and storing it? Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:05:30 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/preparing-liquid-fertilizer-and-storing-it.48242/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/preparing-liquid-fertilizer-and-storing-it.48242/ invalid@example.com (Laticauda) Laticauda
Thanks,
Raychel]]> 5 Horse manure Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:43:08 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/horse-manure.12359/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/horse-manure.12359/ invalid@example.com (anthonysugden) anthonysugden 3 composted horse manure/dirt mix Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:23:18 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/composted-horse-manure-dirt-mix.38306/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/composted-horse-manure-dirt-mix.38306/ invalid@example.com (Creeping Jenny) Creeping Jenny
Thanks!]]> 9 Red wriggler worm sources Sun, 14 Oct 2012 00:54:31 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/red-wriggler-worm-sources.31857/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/red-wriggler-worm-sources.31857/ invalid@example.com (cgjedi) cgjedi
I have been trying to find a source for red wriggler worms in Surrey/Langley. I searched the forums but there hasn't been a topic about this yet. Does anyone have some sources they know about?]]> 3 Anyone into biochar? Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:36:13 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/anyone-into-biochar.54790/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/anyone-into-biochar.54790/ invalid@example.com (Vancouver Island) Vancouver Island
Since using biochar I have found improved soil structure and fertility. Plants grow like crazy! The charcoal apparently hangs onto nutrients and provides an environment for essential micro-organisms necessary for healthy plant growth.

There is a bit of an art to making biochar, but I also use the charcoal produced from our...

Anyone into biochar?]]> 13 Shredded newspaper in compost? Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:28:46 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/shredded-newspaper-in-compost.22985/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/shredded-newspaper-in-compost.22985/ invalid@example.com (kia796) kia796
Are the nasty chemicals used in pulp production offset at all by their use of vegetable-based inks?]]> 24 Hazelnut/Filbert Husks Fri, 06 May 2011 20:45:14 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hazelnut-filbert-husks.11310/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hazelnut-filbert-husks.11310/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper 12 What Is The PH Of Eggshells? Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:43:07 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/what-is-the-ph-of-eggshells.56755/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/what-is-the-ph-of-eggshells.56755/ invalid@example.com (PlantAvenue) PlantAvenue
Does anyone know?

Thanks :)]]> 9 Why remove leaves if going to return compost to soil? Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:20:33 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/why-remove-leaves-if-going-to-return-compost-to-soil.59340/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/why-remove-leaves-if-going-to-return-compost-to-soil.59340/ invalid@example.com (janetdoyle) janetdoyle
If the leaves were spread about and left on the garden, mixed with a bit of true compost, without doing a total removal and replacement with "compost", will they compost in place, and will they really increase disease in plants [I can see that fallen rose...

Why remove leaves if going to return compost to soil?]]> 27 Soil Testing Kit Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:04:56 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/soil-testing-kit.35415/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/soil-testing-kit.35415/ invalid@example.com (lily) lily ~ Lily]]> 7 Help with Irrigation Please! Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:07:06 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/help-with-irrigation-please.60731/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/help-with-irrigation-please.60731/ invalid@example.com (LilSprout) LilSprout How does an error on the high side of watering affect soil fertility management and my IPM efforts?
How does an error on the low side of watering affect soil fertility management and my IPM efforts?
Also,
How does the appropriate design/grouping of plants of the same water needs make my irrigation scheduling easier?

I have limited irrigation knowledge and before we decide to install a system in...

Help with Irrigation Please!]]> 1 compost elixer ?? Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:42:13 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/compost-elixer.60635/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/compost-elixer.60635/ invalid@example.com (mikwanmak) mikwanmak and i want to add in earthworm castings, or bat **** depending on the needs of my plant...
any one have any suggestions?? and how much of everything should i use???]]> 4 Healthy Soil, No Worms in Sight, I Don't Get It! Thoughts? Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:20:39 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/healthy-soil-no-worms-in-sight-i-dont-get-it-thoughts.59095/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/healthy-soil-no-worms-in-sight-i-dont-get-it-thoughts.59095/ invalid@example.com (NatGreeneVeg) NatGreeneVeg
Now, I did a soil test this spring. We didn't need to amend according to the test. This is for a public demonstration garden where the produce is donated to a local food bank that serves 29 counties.

Well, our vegetable garden literally turned into a jungle....

Healthy Soil, No Worms in Sight, I Don't Get It! Thoughts?]]> 5 How to compost cuttings correctly and KALE? Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:29:06 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/how-to-compost-cuttings-correctly-and-kale.58718/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/how-to-compost-cuttings-correctly-and-kale.58718/ invalid@example.com (vicarious1) vicarious1
A few in this Forum know my garden by now from photos. For those who don't it is situated between to houses and get nice full south sun in summer but in winter its mainly shade.
I had to cut down all the RED RUSSIAN KALE as it was so infested by aphids I could not eat it anymore. So i cut it down to the earth with the hope that it will make new growth by the next month...
Had to cut down also part of the curly Kale as so infected. Soapy water etc...

How to compost cuttings correctly and KALE?]]> 10 Fertilizer Application Calculation Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:15:23 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fertilizer-application-calculation.57916/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fertilizer-application-calculation.57916/ invalid@example.com (LilSprout) LilSprout 4 ID of Japanese organic container Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:19:20 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/id-of-japanese-organic-container.60267/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/id-of-japanese-organic-container.60267/ invalid@example.com (johnnyjumpup) johnnyjumpup
The top is hollowed out to accept the plant. I have planted my own plugs in it over the years with varying success (appropriate plugs difficult to get locally). I am really curious to know...

ID of Japanese organic container]]> 2 Toxic Sewage Sludge in Your Food? Sat, 26 Dec 2009 02:13:16 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/toxic-sewage-sludge-in-your-food.59846/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/toxic-sewage-sludge-in-your-food.59846/ invalid@example.com (bob 2) bob 2
Toxic Sewage Sludge in Your Food?]]> 8 Chicken waste Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:18:49 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/chicken-waste.57419/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/chicken-waste.57419/ invalid@example.com (greenboy) greenboy 12 Modifying soil to improve drainage Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:22:41 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/modifying-soil-to-improve-drainage.59455/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/modifying-soil-to-improve-drainage.59455/ invalid@example.com (Gardenlover) Gardenlover I was thinking to add organic matter into it..such as Peat, Manure, Sand and till it by machine into a good depth....Am I on the right track?]]> 16 Using duckweed as a fertilizer. Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:35:51 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/using-duckweed-as-a-fertilizer.59559/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/using-duckweed-as-a-fertilizer.59559/ invalid@example.com (1950Greg) 1950Greg
Using duckweed as a fertilizer.]]> 1 dry soil Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:44:19 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/dry-soil.59176/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/dry-soil.59176/ invalid@example.com (April S) April S
dry soil]]> 11 Miracle Food for plant? Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:17:03 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/miracle-food-for-plant.59242/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/miracle-food-for-plant.59242/ invalid@example.com (jaistar12) jaistar12 2 Removal of Green Algae Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:44:55 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/removal-of-green-algae.58970/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/removal-of-green-algae.58970/ invalid@example.com (SvenLittkowski) SvenLittkowski 1.
Hi. I grow swamp plants, and need to have the soil box inside a box filled with water. But I recognize that the water develops an odor, and wonder if it makes sense to do something about it, and if, how and what to do. I don't want the plants to suffer, but I want to get rid of the foulish smell of the water.

2.
Also, I see that much of the white sand and white stones become covered with a light green algae or something like that. If I would decide (not sure yet)...

Removal of Green Algae]]> 5