Feeding the Soil

Question 1

Name some bulky organic matters

Answer 1

Farm Yard Manure
Garden waste
Mushroom Compost
Leaf Mould
Chipped Bark
Green Manure
Crop debris
Composted Straw
Waste Wool materials
Composted waste from local authorities

Question 2

What does FYM consist of and what nutrient is it high in?

Answer 2

Straw/other bedding
Horse, sheep and pig manure
Most have high Nirtage levels

Question 3

If FYM is supplied fresh, what is best to do with it and why?

Answer 3

It must be stacked for a period to break down as it will be high in Ammonia-which can scorch plant foliage and roots.

Question 4

What are the advantages of adding FYM?

Answer 4

improves soil fertility
improves soil structure
Adds organic matter and humus

Question 5

Why does FYM need to be worked into a soil?

Answer 5

It needs to be dug in for continued decomposition.

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of adding fresh FYM?

Answer 6

If it is added to wet, compacted, deep clay soils they end up needing more oxygen.

The soil may develop a gey colouring and smell like bad eggs

Question 7

How is Garden Waste made?

Answer 7

Put all garden waste except perennial weeds into a compost bin, or wooden pallets with slatted sides.

Turn the compost frequently and cover with a carpet to keep heat in and rain out.

This is a “cold” method and can take 2years to be ready.

Question 8

What is the advantage of having an open bottomed compost bin on soil?

Answer 8

It allows soil organisms and air in-good for decomposition.

Question 9

What is Mushroom Compost?

Answer 9

A by-product of the mushroom industry

Consists of composted straw capped with chalk.

Question 10

What are the advantages of Mushroom Compost?

Answer 10

As it has chalk in it, it raises a soils pH

A good alternative to liming

Question 11

What plants would do well in mushroom compost?

Answer 11

Calcicoles: they like alkaline soil.
eg: brassicas-cabbages, cauliflowers, Brussels sprouts

Question 12

What soil pH would benefit from the addition of Mushroom Compost?

Answer 12

S soil with a pH below 6

Question 13

What can happen to plants if Mushroom compost is used regularly?

Answer 13

iron-induced chlorosis, therefore poor performance.

Question 14

If mushroom compost is used annually, what nutrient deficiencies could there be?

Answer 14

Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe)

Question 15

What plant/type of plant would not benefit from Mushroom compost?

Answer 15

Calcifuges-acid loving plants (low pH)

And growing young plants in containers.

Question 16

What does Composted waste from local authoroties have in it?

Answer 16

A mis of: tree waste/plastics/paper/cardboard

Question 17

How do we normally receive compost waste from local authoroties?

Answer 17

Finely shredded and sterilised so there are no pests/weeds or smells!

Question 18

What is Leaf Mould?

Answer 18

A mixture of any leaves from deciduous trees

green prunings and grass mowings

Question 19

What leaves should not be put in leaf mould?

Answer 19

Holly and Laurel

Question 20

What are the advantages of leaf mould?

Answer 20

rots down well-takes about 1year
Attractive mulch
Very good compost ingredient once well rotted

Question 21

Why is leaf mould slow to break down?

Answer 21

The leaves have a high brown to green ratio so decompostion is slow.

Question 22

How could you speed up the decompostion process of leaf mould?

Answer 22

Shred the leaves first before composting-it is usually the second year that the brown, crumbly material is produced.

Question 23

How do you normally compost Leaf Mould?

Answer 23

In mesh cages or polythene bags punched with multiple holes.

Question 24

What are the disadvantages of leaf mould?

Answer 24

Nitrogen (N) and Phosphate have left the leaves before they fall.
Potassium is readily leached from an ageing leaf.

Question 25

Chipped bark products are good for what?

Answer 25

excellent for mulching | A good soil improver

Question 26

What is chipped bark deficient in and why is this an advantage?

Answer 26

Bark is Nitrogen (N) deficient so doesn't decompose quickly-it stays on the surface longer.

Question 27

Disadvantages of chipped bark

Answer 27

Once it is incorporated into soil, it robs plants of their (N) Light when dry so easily blown around Floats of water Difficult to manage on slopes Birds toss it about looking for food underneath so paths look untidy.

Question 28

Cocoa Shells: what are their advantages?

Answer 28

A good recycling product Light to handle and spread Costs are low

Question 29

What do composted straw products manly consist of and what are their best uses?

Answer 29

Straw and horse manure | Best as mulch

Question 30

What does a mulch do?

Answer 30

``` Supresses weeds Moisture retention Protects soil surface Decorative finish Maintains/increases soil OM insulates soi ltemps Protects crops from soil contact eg: straw under Strawberries ```

Question 31

What is the definition of composting?

Answer 31

the decompostion of OM in a haep before applying to soils.

Question 32

What are the conditions for successful composting?

Answer 32

``` Air water a mixture of OM mix Accelerators or activators shredding Ph Temperature Heap size ```

Question 33

why is air needed for successful composting?

Answer 33

The soil organisms are aerobic so they need aerated conditions

Question 34

Why is water needed for successful composting?

Answer 34

The decomposers need moist material to eat and live in. They are inactive if the soil is too dry, If the soil is water logged there isn't enough air so the anaerobic organisms take over-gives poorer compost.

Question 35

What is meant by Organic Matter Mix?

Answer 35

An equal measure of leafy/succulent/tender materials and fibrous/woody/tough materials.

Question 36

what is classed as "green" organic matter mix?

Answer 36

leafy/succulent/tender materials eg: grass mowings | seaweed, young nettles, young leaves, kitchen plant waste.

Question 37

What is classed as "brown" organic matter mix?

Answer 37

fibrous/woody/tough eg: | Cardboard, fibrous prunings, long grass, woody prunings, straw, sawdust, paper, autumn leaves, old herbaceous plants

Question 38

Why does shredding increase the decomposition process?

Answer 38

Increases the surface area so more of the material is accessible to the organisms. Waterlogging should be avoided.

Question 39

How does pH affect the decomposition of a compost pile?

Answer 39

It should not be too acidic-soil organisms can't break it down as efficiently. Adding this layers of lime can help this,

Question 40

How does temperature affect the rate of decompostion on a compost heap?

Answer 40

the better the temp, the more efficiently the Soil organisms can decompose the material.

Question 41

How does the heap size of compost affect the rate of decomposition?

Answer 41

The bigger the heap, the quicker it heats up-but it has to be turned often.

Question 42

Describe the key points to successful anaerobic composting. (6 points)

Answer 42

``` Materials used have to be kept moist No special bin necessary No turning of material needed No Nitrogen needs to be added Woody material must be well shredded Putting material in a black, sealed polythene bag works well. ```

Question 43

How is an anaerobic compost heap made?

Answer 43

A mound of vegetable matter is covered by 25mm of soil. A further 25mm of soil is added for every 250mm of vegetable waste

Question 44

What is a green manure?

Answer 44

A crop specifically grown to be dug into the ground as manure.

Question 45

Examples of green manure

Answer 45

Blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) Winter tares (Vicia sativa) Crimson clover perennial ryegrass

Question 46

Where would we tend to use a green manure?

Answer 46

Vegetable plots and organic growing systems.

Question 47

Why are the lupins, clover, ryegrass good as green manure?

Answer 47

They all cover the ground quickly Yield a large amount of leaf

Question 48

What are the advantages of green manure? x7

Answer 48

Reduce soil erosion Add Organic matter Compete out weeds Develop and maintain soil fertility and structure Increase Micro-organism activity in soil Cover bare ground Capture soluble nutrients that would otherwise be leached

Question 49

How is green manure added to plots?

Answer 49

Dig it in, or cut, left to wilt and then dug into soil.

Question 50

What is a disadvantage of green manure?

Answer 50

If you leave it as a mlch, it makes it difficult to but the next crop in.

Question 51

What is the definition of Hot Bed composting?

Answer 51

Microbial activity within the pile is at its optinum level.

Question 52

What is an advantage of Hot Bed composting?

Answer 52

The compost is ready in a much shorter time- approx 3 weeks depending on environmental factors.

Question 53

What are the ideal conditions for Hot bed composting?

Answer 53

Sit the heap in full sun The size of heap-4ft x 4ft is most manageable Right Carbon to Nitrogen ratio from start, 25:1

Question 54

What are carbon rich compost materials?

Answer 54

Straw, shredded paper, small twigs, dried leaves

Question 55

What are Nitrogen rich compost materials?

Answer 55

Grass, fruit and vegetable scraps, FYM, deadhead trimmings, coffee grounds, teabags.

Question 56

The key to successful Hot Bed composting is:

Answer 56

all ingredients must be finely chopped, mixed together and have a small amount of finished compost to act as an activator and watered. Turn regularly Monitor the soil temperature.