HOME & Gi Let’s get down to the dirt... uh, soil Geoff Tobiasson DIRT IS the stuff we share with the neighbors who happen to be present, con- cerning those who are not. Soil is the stuff in which we grow our plants. While we sometimes find both to be liberally laced with manure, the similarities stop there. 1 wil leave the discussions of dirt for the society pages and con- tinue last week's attempt at discussing the characteristics of good soils. As promised, we should include a closer look at the steps we take to correct soils that seem less than perfect. First, let’s talk about bankrupt- cies. No, | will not go back on my word and start spreading rumors about the financial health of my neighbors. It is the economic health of your soil to which I refer. Think of your soil as a self- contained miniature economy. Its production usually revolves around the decomposition of organic matczial (mostly discarded plant paris) and the subsequent release of nutrients and essential fibre back into the soil structure. Our plants use these supplies of raw materials to produce more organic matter, thereby com- pleting the cycle. The more we rely on chemical fertilizers, the more dependent ovr soil and those plants growing within it will become. If you were to rely completely on chemicals to boost plant production, you would run a_ great risk of destabilizing and eventually even Park Royal: George, Jill and Allan bankrupting this ecosystem. Not a good thing. As I mentioned fast gardening is an unnatural act. We could therefore consider it acceptable to strengthen the local economy with the occasional dose of chemical fertilizers. However, it would be far better to leave these for emergency situations only. If you consider your soil to be so poor that this type of quick fix is necessary, do so with the under- standing that it is a temporary solution, not the be-all and end- all. You have all heard me pound away at the benefits of compost in the garden. This should be your primary method of maintaining the economic health of your soil. Adding in these types of raw ma- terials to the decomposition pro- cess can only improve its overal! capacity to grow healthy plants. You should also consider more frequent use of organic fertilizers. Bonemeal can provide all of the phosphorus and potassium your plants need to produce healthy roots, flowers and fruit. It is also a great way to introduce calcium into the soil around acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons without raising the pH too high. Calcium is perhaps the most im- portant of the micro-nutrients. Seaweed is another good source of potassium. In combination with stored amounts of boron, iodine and other trace elements, it can be of great benefit to the vegetable garden. It should be used sparing- ty, however, as other soluble salts found within fresh seaweed could week, " Rilchmond: Michelle and Patti (Not shown: Jarrod, Sherry, OVER THE GARDEN GATE be toxic if too much is applied di- rectly. Better to add it to the compost and allow it to break down before applying it to the garden. Nitrogen is the most difficult and expensive major nutrient to add to the soil in an organic form. Blood meal, hoof and horn meal and cottonseed meal are ex- pensive, loathsome to apply and can cause severe burning. Manures are great, but they too can be ‘dangerous in. excessive amounts, especially fresh manure. Com- posted manures are better but they are generally available only in bags and therefore too expensive. Nitrogen is a volatiie nutrient. It will last in the soit only a short period before it is either washed away by the rains and irrigation or converted into its gaseous form and returned to the atmosphere. Lougheed: Mark, Susan and Michelle 46 The compost should be your primary method of maintaining the economic health of your soil. 99 There is something both old and. new under the sun that should solve some of our problems in supplying organic nitrogen to the: soil. The product is called Microp and it is old under the sun because it is totally comprised of naturally eccurring soil-borne algae — some of the oldest organisms on the plant. New because it is only just beginning to be seen in the marketplace. As a matter of fact, the only place I know of where you can get it is The Avant Gardener in Ambleside, West Vancouver. So what is so great about algae? Well, these are not just any old algae; these are cyanobacteria or the Bluegreen algae of health food fame. This micro organism will grow undetected on the surface of your soil, drawing atmospheric nitrogen out of the air and releas- ing it into the soil in its plant- usable ammonia form. . lt is therefore easy to see how Microp can be used to supply organic nitrogen to the soil and reduce your need for chemical fer- tilizers, but there’s more; it will also improve your soil’s ability to supply the roots of your plants with water and air. Old, tired soils are subject to compaction. Soil compaction results from the collapse or com- pression of the tiny passages and airways in the soil that allow the - free flow of water and air. Those of you who have experienced the back-breaking task of aerating the soil in your lawn will know the condition well. You will also be pleased to note that the algae present in Microp can reduce the problem. Through the release of sugars produced by the algae, Microp can cause the restructuring of your soils so that tiny clumps are formed. This ‘‘clumping’’ will assist in the recreation of the essential passageways needed for the proper Penetration of air and water. We are becoming ever more aware of the need to maintain the organic health of the garden. It is time you started looking for methods and materials. that can assist you in reaching your goals © of creating and maintaining healthy plants growing in a healthy garden. Champlain Mall: Paige. Brian and Donna (Not shown: Fiobyn and Dallas) Coll Rhodo & Azalea Food 2 kg Our reg. 3.99 Sale 1.99 Zamiha and Cathy) Corry’s Plant Prod Slug Bait 20-20-20 2.26 kg Soluble plant fertilizer. 500 g Our reg. 8.99 Our reg. 4.99 Sale 3. 99 *Mushroom “Steer Chicken 4-2-3 Moss Killer Fertilizer 4.09 kg jug Our reg. 12.99 4 kg Sale 19.99 Bonus: Hose end applicator 50% off with purchase Azaleas Ready-to- bloom Many varieties 1 gal size Our reg. 6.99 Sale 5.49 The Bay Garden Centres are located at 3 suburban stores: -Park Royal -Richmond e-Lougheed The Garden Centre also operates in Champiain Mall Sale RYS COR 9.99 FUPSLUG-SNATE Deary = reo Sale - 4bags 9.99 Prices in effect till Sunday, March 29, 1992, while quantities last.