New allotment- lack of compost for digging/planting.

ChasingtheWelshdream

Hello,

I have recently taken on a half-sized allotment and am prepping the ground into separate beds. It has been well cultivated in the past and is a good texture, but I have no garden compost to dig in when planting hungry things -raspberries, asparagus at the moment.

I could but bags of multi purpose compost and manure but it will quickly get expensive very quickly.
Is there a better way? Would some general fertiliser do this year whilst my compost bin starts to yield?

I had a plot elsewhere years ago where most folk had muck delivered in bulk but i don’t think that would be easy here due to access, and I haven’t seen anyone else have anything delivered.

Thanks for any ideas. 

theoretica

For long term hungry things, like the raspberries and asparagus you mention, I bury wool or feathers deep down under them to compost slowly.

elsien

If you find a nearby stable then some of them will let you come and fill bags of manure to take away. The downside of that is that it can come with more weeds. 

ChasingtheWelshdream

Thank you both. I am not aware of any stables but will keep an eye out.

In terms of feathers, would the innards of an old feather pillow do? I have a couple that are near the end of their life I would be happy to sacrifice… I also have lots of wool but suspect the majority has polyester mixed in so probably not suitable I assume?

Thrugelmir

We've bought from 

https://www.dalefootcomposts.co.uk/

for many years. In the past they've given discount to allottmenteers for bulk purchase. Swear by their products. Well worth the investment. Worth giving them a call. 

RAS

Another one for dalesfoot. If you buy the  double strength, make sure you do mix it.

A 5 litre pot in a planting hole for a shrub will give the plant a boost for three years. Or scatter as a light top dressing on canes. 

ChasingtheWelshdream

Thank you, I’ll have a look. :-) I’m happy to spend a bit on the permanent beds if necessary.

Floss

Check with your fellow plot holders - there may be a local stables who bring manure (mine was in Blackpool and we got donkey manure 😁) or there may be a farmer who will bring a trailer load for a sum. Or there may be spent brewery mash,  or other organic material.

Basically, ask your plot neighbours - it's a good way to get to know them!

ChasingtheWelshdream

Well I went and bought a couple of bags of manure today and was dropping them off at the plot on the way home. When I saw large piles of muck had appeared on a couple of plots, with a man barrowing some around.

He pointed me in the direction of a lovely old gentleman who delivers it on his tractor for £20 a load. That’ll do me!

 I had better buy a wheelbarrow though as I’ll need to move it out the way quickly, and I’ve got some pallets I can knock together to store it until I’m ready to use it. 

Happy days!

theoretica

ChasingtheWelshdream said:

Thank you both. I am not aware of any stables but will keep an eye out.

In terms of feathers, would the innards of an old feather pillow do? I have a couple that are near the end of their life I would be happy to sacrifice… I also have lots of wool but suspect the majority has polyester mixed in so probably not suitable I assume?

It's what I do with old pillows etc - or put the innards in the compost bin if not planting anything at the time.  You need to cover the feathers fast, before they blow everywhere, or work with them damp. I only use pure wool if I am using an old sweater and not fleece.

Pennypincin

Have you any composters, or access to pallets to make some?
Be a good way to add goodness back into the soil and also improve the soil structure.
Maybe use/sew a green manure such as mustard seed. I can't remember what the others are, but worth looking into.