The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Fruit => Topic started by: suziequeue on February 19, 2012, 04:47:27 pm

Title: Apple tree mulching plan
Post by: suziequeue on February 19, 2012, 04:47:27 pm

I am planning to mulch the apple trees properly this year.

To start with I have put some wire netting around to stop the chickens scratching all the mulch away (which is what they did last year  :-\)

Then I plan to put down some chicken manure pellets and then cover that with some gone-over haylage leaving a 6 inch clear ring around the base of the trunk to avoid damp/rot/mold.

Do you think that's a reasonable approach?

Title: Re: Apple tree mulching plan
Post by: deepinthewoods on February 20, 2012, 05:49:47 pm

im not sure about the pellets, arnt they high in nitrogen? i would have thought you need high potash fertiliser, maybe wood ashes?

Title: Re: Apple tree mulching plan
Post by: VSS on February 20, 2012, 06:12:39 pm

Good old FYM would be good.

Title: Re: Apple tree mulching plan
Post by: Possum on February 21, 2012, 06:55:15 pm

I used pelleted chicken manure covered in a layer of garden compost for many years and my trees were always laden with fruit. Since I have had the chickens I just use the compost which has been enriched with their droppings. I used FYM one year and it seemed to be just as good as the other two methods.

The important thing is to have a really thick layer of compost so that weeds and grass don't grow through it. I only leave a 2 inch ring around the base of the trunk and haven't had any problems.

Title: Re: Apple tree mulching plan
Post by: chairmanphil on March 27, 2012, 08:18:41 pm

Quote from: deepinthewoods on February 20, 2012, 05:49:47 pm

im not sure about the pellets, arnt they high in nitrogen? i would have thought you need high potash fertiliser, maybe wood ashes?

is wood ash good for fruit trees then?