Author Topic: Apple tree mulching plan (Read 2794 times)

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?

deepinthewoods · « **Reply #1 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?

VSS · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2012, 06:12:39 pm »

Good old FYM would be good.

Possum · « **Reply #3 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.