This Will Enrich Your Soil Instantly

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  • Опубліковано 23 лис 2024
  • Spring is around the corner and it's time to supercharge your soil, ready for the growing season. It's important to top up your soil's nutrients at this time of year, every year. but where do you start and how do you do it? All your questions are answered in this week's episode.
    Want to get soil-savvy and have your best growing season yet? Check out these videos for more on composting and building healthy soil:
    • Soil Quality & Composting
    For more on getting a head start and extending your growing season, check out this playlist:
    • The Best Flowers To Bo...
    If you love growing your own food, why not take a look at our online Garden Planner which is available from several major websites and seed suppliers:
    www.GrowVeg.com
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    and many more...
    To receive more gardening videos subscribe to our channel here: / subscription_. .
    If you've noticed any pests or beneficial insects in your garden lately please report them to us at BigBugHunt.com

КОМЕНТАРІ • 472

  • @bovinejonie3745
    @bovinejonie3745 Рік тому +155

    As an aspiring small farmer that is starting with literally nothing, Your video releases keep me in seasonal timing and I am soooo very thankful for it!!! I’ll never forget your help as long as I live.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +15

      That is a joy to hear - thank you so much for watching, and very best of luck with the coming growing season. :-)

    • @kmcam2524
      @kmcam2524 Рік тому +2

      Aspiring small farmer here as well, highly recommend looking into Dr. Elaine Ingham and Chris Trump.. these two have formed the foundation for me and what it means to BE a farmer, and am better for it. Wish you the best

  • @Tjw1
    @Tjw1 Рік тому +34

    I've printed off 50 or so pictures of Ben's face and scattered them around my vegetable beds. In addition to this I use a Bluetooth speaker and play Bryan Adams everything I do I do it for you on repeat into the earth. This combination brings my soil happiness and joy. I recommend you try it for yourself.

    • @46FreddieMercury91
      @46FreddieMercury91 Рік тому +2

      Seriously?!

    • @Tjw1
      @Tjw1 Рік тому +9

      @@46FreddieMercury91 yes, but this early in the year when there's still a chance of frost I also play Peter Andrés Mysterious girl and that tends to do the trick too.

    • @canadiangemstones7636
      @canadiangemstones7636 Рік тому +8

      I hired a meditation & yoga instructor, and a panpipe player, to come by once an hour and teach my plants to grow. Works a treat.

    • @Tjw1
      @Tjw1 Рік тому +2

      @@canadiangemstones7636 I hadn't really given that a thought before. Noted.

    • @Tjw1
      @Tjw1 Рік тому +4

      @Jo Pearson interesting, my aubergine did respond to very well to the sex pistols last year. Maybe it's worth trying some Brit pop on the cauliflower this time?

  • @JoesWebPresence
    @JoesWebPresence Рік тому +19

    I have a small worm farm going, and some local horses, so I add horse manure and compost worms to my compost heaps. It works a treat. In the autumn, I sifted out all the stubborn uncomposted stuff, mostly twigs, roots and tufts of grass, chucked all it in a ton bag, then added two feed bags of manure and a fork full of worms. They've been busy in there all winter churning it into beautiful compost, and I've just forked it into the polytunnel, worms and all.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +3

      That's superb - really handy having those worms. They're doing a grand job for you!

    • @dreamcometrue121
      @dreamcometrue121 6 місяців тому

      We accidentally done this last year and we have lots of lovely compost in tonne bag, easiest compost ever! 😂

  • @trish3580
    @trish3580 Рік тому +20

    Thank you soo much for mentioning garden compost as the first choice. As a plant-based food grower I greatly appreciate it as so many channels focus on animal-based products. More people are going plant-based and I hope they find your channel. Wish I had more access to deciduous leaves...living amongst conifers makes finding leaves a challenge...they are such a great compost source! And thank you so much for using low-cost items like old windows and cardboard... this way everyone can grow amazing food!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +3

      Thanks Trish. As you say, you definitely don't need animal-derived amendments for your soil to thrive.

  • @fareebug8439
    @fareebug8439 Рік тому +26

    That bleeped out bit in the middle 😅🤣🤣🤣 🎉 thanks for that!
    And the final sign off shot was epic and lovely!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +5

      Cheers! :-)

    • @bas7905
      @bas7905 Рік тому

      And faked with an empty cup. Terrible outro.

    • @LittleKikuyu
      @LittleKikuyu Рік тому +1

      An Englishman‘s tea cup is never empty 😁

  • @WhatAboutZoidberg
    @WhatAboutZoidberg Рік тому +8

    Have a horse farm near me that gives away free, 1 year aged manure. Gonna grab some this month and let it settle for Spring. Heard the tip last year and its going to save SO MUCH money on my new raised beds. Really excited to see how this year goes. Cheers.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      What a great resource to have to hand! :-)

  • @linzertorte4003
    @linzertorte4003 Рік тому +124

    “If you don’t have your soil ready, time is ticking!” Me, staring out at 6 feet snow drifts on my garden beds…” 😂

  • @trapped7534
    @trapped7534 Рік тому +6

    Thanks again Ben. I have been lazy this year. I have a zillion seeds,but have not
    even opened the packages.
    I could use one (or six)😂of those huge bags of compost.
    God Bless you and yours,
    may your garden be the best it has ever been and you have bountiful produce.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +2

      And yours as well. Here's to a superb growing season!

  • @jaytoney3007
    @jaytoney3007 Рік тому +22

    My raised beds, and grow bags have been covered with a thick layer of leaves since autumn, and I have been keeping my compost bin full. I even filled up two trash bins with chopped up leaves for use later in the season. Very soon, I will start the process of mixing in the decaying leaves into the soil, and planting transplants, or direct sowing seeds. My greenhouse project is nearly finished. It needs a little more soil to level the ground in the front, then it will be ready for the cover. Next on my to do list is making the three raised beds that will be placed inside it, and moving my planting table inside after that. All is on schedule. I have 20 tomato seedlings started, five cherry, the rest large, two trays of Red Bearded Bunching Onions, a tray of Rainbow Swiss Chard, Luccullus Swiss Chard, Fordhook Swiss chard, New Zealand Spinach, Tokyo Bekana Mustard, Japanese Giant Red Mustard, two trays of assorted lettuce, and 92 pepper plants (15 varieties). Next week, I will sow seeds for snow peas and radishes, and the following week, Danvers, Komatsuna, Tatsoi, Chijimisai, Kale, Boc Choy, turnips, and beet root. I have 25 Seascape Strawberry plants on order that I will be planting too. In three weeks, it is potato time. And so the planting season begins. When the weather warms up a bit in April, I will finish the garden by planting cucumbers, pole beans, summer squash, winter squash, assorted herbs, and flowers to attract pollinators.

    • @nancyarchibald9095
      @nancyarchibald9095 Рік тому +5

      Spoken like a YOUNG gardener who still has a supple spine and boundless energy. I USED to work like that. Have a fun-filled Summer ☀️ watching things grow.

    • @jaytoney3007
      @jaytoney3007 Рік тому +8

      @@nancyarchibald9095 Not too young 59, disabled after Widow Maker heart attack and triple bypass-very low stamina, but I am very determined, and stubborn.

    • @conniewojahn6445
      @conniewojahn6445 Рік тому +6

      @@jaytoney3007 I'll say you're determined and stubborn. Be sure to be determined and stubborn about taking healthy breaks and taking time to really enjoy what you're doing. Good Luck, gardener!

    • @jaytoney3007
      @jaytoney3007 Рік тому

      @@conniewojahn6445 Depending on the amount of work I am doing, it is about 15-30 minutes of work, followed by 30-60 minutes of rest. In between I write. I think I am working on my 22nd book and I just signed a contract with SavagePlanets Magazine. The Oracle will be making its debut appearance in the October Issue.

    • @nancyarchibald9095
      @nancyarchibald9095 Рік тому +1

      @Jay Toney - Sounds familiar. I'm 67yrs, disabled with arthritis up spine, in hands, wrists, right hip. (left hip replaced in 2008). But I have an inborn stubbornness too!! It goes deep & wide. I work WAY past fatigue, then pay with 2-3 days of recovery. I'm not sure I can do it again this year. But I will try. I will start seeds next month and see how it goes. I know now "HOW" to get great results, great harvests.

  • @oceansoul3694
    @oceansoul3694 Рік тому +36

    This is a wonderful video, Ben, and so much needed as our winter here drags on and on. I still have 15" of snow all over my farm, and garden, but your video gives me hope that warm Spring days are coming. Thank you!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +2

      Those warmer days really are around the corner I promise!

  • @NanasWorms
    @NanasWorms Рік тому +6

    I did two tests on some horse manure I got from a local farm a few months ago. I did one test on it by adding worms to make sure there was no active dewormer (my worms survived!). Now I'm testing for persistent herbicides by growing green beans indoors in both soil enriched with manure and plain soil. The manure won't be ready for my beds this spring in any case, but at least I know whether I can add it in the fall and, in the meantime, feed some of it to my worm farms.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +1

      That's a really smart move!

  • @juliekraft4102
    @juliekraft4102 Рік тому +3

    Love the bits of humor sprinkled into all of the useful information.🥰

  • @toniedalton5448
    @toniedalton5448 Рік тому +2

    Good morning from VA ! Ihave watched you since you were on PBS in the US. My 81 yr old sister has discovered UA-cam. She was all excited the other day telling about this man (who talks funny) with so many good things about gardening. Lol😃 It was yku,of course. She isn't able to garden anymore, but I usually make her a small plot with cucumbers and tomatoes. And she orders me what she wants that I have to plant ! I'm sure she will have lots of things to help me with from watching you .
    So you have yet another fan in the family . Keep up the good work.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +1

      That's really lovely to hear! Great to be keeping the green thumb in at any age - it keeps you young I'm almost certain! :-)

  • @Frank-fs5nv
    @Frank-fs5nv Рік тому +1

    Truly a gardener's black gold.

  • @Artinthefeels
    @Artinthefeels Рік тому +20

    Thank you so much for sharing your gardening knowledge and experience with the world! I have learned so much from you! Ever since finding your channel, I've been gaining the confidence to go bigger every year and try new plants

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +1

      That's really lovely to hear Hannah! Thanks so much for watching. :-)

  • @heatherjolly8389
    @heatherjolly8389 Рік тому +4

    I love the quick information!

  • @monsiebabe2817
    @monsiebabe2817 Рік тому +6

    Hi Ben loving your energy and enthusiasm 😎

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +1

      Cheers very much! :-)

  • @batchrocketproject4720
    @batchrocketproject4720 Рік тому +3

    Excellent ideas, thanks for posting. I'd always assumed home compost to be a poor cousin to "muck" so am delighted to hear you rank compost the best. I got serious with composting the summer before last. Previously I'd just pile up everything in a corner and eventually, sometimes several years later, dig the pile out and use the good stuff on vegetable beds. Now instead I have several plastic compost bins (the Dalek type). Our allotment often has second hand ones available for a few pounds. I began shredding stuff with an electric shredder. I found fresher stems shred better than dried stuff (that surprised me, I expected dry stuff to be brittle and chip easily but I found the fresher stuff chopped up easier). I also use all the vegetable waste from my kitchen and torn up paper and cardboard. When added to the Daleks, it composts really quickly. It's always a little disappointing how much the volume reduces as it decomposes but I never run out of stuff to add. For invasive weeds like bindweed and stuff in seed I avoid composting directly but instead steep them in a lidded dustbin full of water where they slowly rot. This gets emptied once a year, by which time the weeds are a nasty slimy dead mess which I spread out to dry and air a little before adding to the compost. The foul liquid is diluted and used as a liquid fertiliser. .

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Love your composting techniques - and what a great way to deal with the weeds!

  • @mrst4946
    @mrst4946 Рік тому +3

    You are literally amazing. Thank you so much for your videos. I'm a young mum and began veg gardening with no experience during the lockdown. My Mum was my go to for knowledge, we gardened together and she taught me the basics. Last year she became very unwell and died after her 60th birthday last November. I didn't have the time to grow anything last year between work, parenting and caring for my dear mum. I just began getting back into gardening this week and it's been difficult without my mum on hand, reminding me of my grief etc. A quick look on UA-cam and your channel came up and I've binge watched it the last few days and I've learnt so much. I hope I can manage to grow the veg my mum taught me to this year. I'd love any tips on how to prevent broccoli, cabbage and, raspberries from getting eaten by what I think is moth larvae... They are possibly different types of what look like small green caterpillars. Every year my raspberry bush gets eaten alive and the last time I grew cabbage and broccoli they were also covered and the leaves all eaten! Thanks so much.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      So sorry to hear about the loss of your mum, but gardening will be a great way to pay tribute to her and to carry on her great work. :-)
      Your broccoli and cabbage are likely being ravaged by cabbageworms/cabbage white butterflies. More on those here: www.growveg.co.uk/pests/uk-and-europe/cabbage-white-butterfly/
      Raspberries probably being eaten by raspberry beetles, if it's the fruits being eaten: www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/raspberry-beetle Or it could be borers: www.thespruce.com/getting-rid-of-raspberry-pests-2539580

  • @mondotwentythree4694
    @mondotwentythree4694 Рік тому +3

    Ben - I cannot tell you how useful and inspirational your vids are especially late winter/early spring when its too miserable to go out in the garden. Time to get that compost/manure on the beds! Cheers.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      You're welcome. Get that compost/manure spread - chop, chop!

    • @milliewilkins2823
      @milliewilkins2823 Рік тому

      I just found a source last week for rabbit manure,,,,,unlimited rabbit manure..
      .I am R I C H and blessed. I'm s o excited...

  • @caroldragon7545
    @caroldragon7545 Рік тому +3

    i don't know about the UK, but in the USA horses are often wormed with stuff that is quite nasty to plants, so we have to check whether they were wormed recently as well.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Thanks for that advice Carol, I hadn't realised.

  • @kathleenwilliamson174
    @kathleenwilliamson174 Рік тому +12

    Love it ! I have sheep, chickens, and a rabbit so I try to get my sh☆☆ together all year: ). With that and leaves and compost, it makes me feel good to feed the soil. I am so excited for Spring!!

    • @gb9877
      @gb9877 Рік тому +2

      👏🤣🤣 That sounds great Kathleen and I like your sense of humour 😃🤣

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +1

      That's a lovely mix of muck!

  • @sage0925
    @sage0925 Рік тому +2

    I'm going to have to remember to put my composted manure in the greenhouse BEFORE it freezes solid. I've been putting cold tolerant veggies in my (unheated) greenhouse for the past week, cussing myself for not doing that in October. My compost is frozen to the tumblers, and the manure piles are under about a foot of snow. I had to go out and buy "organic" raised bed mixes to get the soil depth back up. **grumble**
    Thanks for all you do. I've got 4 pages of notes so far from your videos. I'm a more or less experienced gardener, and I've learned something with almost every video. My husband and I crack up every time we see you've swiped something from your daughter or your kitchen. Hubs ends up grousing at me at least once a year for missing silverware, missing utensils, etc. We both agree that you and that shovel should get a room. 🤣🤣🤣 (RE: the caring for tools video)

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +1

      Haha - we probably should! Thanks so much for your lovely comment. It's really reassuring to know there are tips for more experienced gardener too. Thanks for watching. :-)

    • @sage0925
      @sage0925 Рік тому

      @@GrowVeg That video about carrots made us cringe though...that part about having to get your carrots out with a pickaxe hit way too close to home. I've heard over and over again how people just leave them in the ground and pull as needed. Doesn't work in the Idaho mountains. We had to go the pickaxe route. I'm sure you would have laughed yourself silly. Wish I'd watched YOUR video first. What a mess. I'm hoping to salvage them as soon as the ground thaws, and hope they're still edible.

  • @kendradavis739
    @kendradavis739 Рік тому +2

    I"m in the U.S. and I'm not sure where to post this comment, but here goes: THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH! I had found your garden app when I was planning out a traditonal garden, but then found out about square foot gardening about a week ago. I read up a bunch, and decided I would go that route, but felt like I couldn't use your app as well as I could have when I was planning on planting in rows. You crafty bunch were already ahead of me, and I found the button for square foot gardening and am once again happily and excitedly planning out where I'll put all my current and future starts (and without paper!) Thank you from a very giddy zone 7A gardner!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      That's really lovely to hear Kendra. The app is very useful like that - with a few surprises tucked away like the square foot gardening mode. :-)

  • @Islandgirl4ever2
    @Islandgirl4ever2 Рік тому +2

    Awesomeee! Thank you... for the tips.. Time to get started in the garden..We are here in the French countryside.. today, 11 Feb it was 17C outside, and felt like around 20/21 C ... I worked out in the garden most of the day... What a great feeling to be back outside, after a cold winter.. beautiful warm and sunny day! Felt like spring!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Definitely spring-like temperatures! :-)

  • @elizabethpirie5050
    @elizabethpirie5050 Рік тому +3

    I started container gardening last year and learned a great deal from your videos , the information you give is so valuable and appreciated,I’m hoping for a good growing season ,and look forward to your videos this year

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Very best of luck with this year's growing season Elizabeth. :-)

  • @cathyhanley8658
    @cathyhanley8658 Рік тому +3

    I think this is my favorite episode. Well done!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Thanks Cathy, that's very kind of you to say.

  • @mnossy11
    @mnossy11 Рік тому +1

    The WESC idea is brilliant

  • @glow1815
    @glow1815 Рік тому +1

    I never knew you cam use leaves as compost. We have a tree that hate with passion lol. The leaves fall daily all year around. I asked myself why are the previous owner plant the tree, our yard looked nice and clean for few hours when the wind blows there goes the leave i got so tried of raking it i just wait until it 2 ft deep then rake it and throw it away. If i only knew i can use it as COMPOST. As i am speaking there are plenty for me to rake lol. I am going to start saving it for my baby garden! Because I've been buying woodchips and picked the the falling leaves from my garden and threw it away i thought it was bad for my plants. Thank you for the information! So helpful

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Leaves are an incredible resource - definitely worth collecting! :-)

  • @tezzag818
    @tezzag818 8 місяців тому

    So glad you mentioned seasons rather than, or as well as, months. As an Australian whose summer is December-February, I appreciate the mention of seasons as I just get confused when only months are mentioned. Thank you!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  8 місяців тому

      Thanks for that. We rename our monthly sowing and jobs videos to be season appropriate once the month is done for this very reason. :-)

  • @michelleodonovan2696
    @michelleodonovan2696 Рік тому +2

    Thanks for the video. I've started small the last few years and keep adding a new plant or two every year to see if there's any success. I've been lucky so far. I love the videos they make me want to do so much more. I've just sown peas, my first time, on 1st Feb ( St. Bridgets Day in Ireland- our first bank holiday for her this year) and they are going strong, thanks for all the great tips

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Glad you've got off to a strong start Michelle.

  • @southernrefugegardening
    @southernrefugegardening Рік тому +3

    I’ve learned so much from your videos, thank you 🥬🌺

  • @misssarahlouise1024
    @misssarahlouise1024 Рік тому +10

    Wonderful video & advice 👏 This is exactly what I needed! Thank you!!!

  • @auntiquek2845
    @auntiquek2845 Рік тому +1

    Thanks for the WESC theory❣️it’s what I need to stop my weeds.

  • @hannahchristine5240
    @hannahchristine5240 Рік тому +10

    Love these videos!!! Thank you so much for sharing with us.

  • @lynnrushton7458
    @lynnrushton7458 Рік тому +1

    This is exactly what I’ve been doing this week. Was lucky enough to get a huge pile of manure from my neighbours last summer, & it’s rotted down beautifully 👌🐴🐴
    Thanks Ben!

  • @stevenhayes6930
    @stevenhayes6930 Рік тому +4

    Wonderful advice sir

  • @jemmawhitehouse1043
    @jemmawhitehouse1043 Рік тому +1

    Just found this channel, I love him! So educated and enthusiastic, great to watch, I'm hooked !!!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Thanks so much Jemma. Welcome to the channel!

  • @Emzyisaces
    @Emzyisaces Рік тому +1

    Thank you for this. Today, we unveiled our own homemade compost from kitchen scraps. It was a year in the making but so so pleasing! 😁

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      A very satisfying moment!

  • @helenstewart2085
    @helenstewart2085 Рік тому +1

    As a experienced gardener am enjoying watching your video's, we are still in summer in New Zealand. But so many people only start thinking about the winter crops now, which is nearly tooo late.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Always worth thinking ahead Helen. :-)

  • @dinosaur0073
    @dinosaur0073 Рік тому +2

    Wheelbarrow + dog+ coffee =lovely picture 📸...😊

  • @stephenhope7319
    @stephenhope7319 Рік тому +1

    Thanks Ben, getting ready here for the grow season in 9b Sacramento. I am very fortunate that I have an arborist who I hire to trim my trees, he is good enough to drop by chipped mulch whenever I ask and he only drops off what I need. ie if I want 2 wheelbarrows full, that is all he dumps on my driveway. I too have used steer manure, sometimes it's so strong that I run it thru my compost to dilute it. Like you, I am looking forward to a great new growing season. Thanks for the latest vid.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Cheers Stephen. Your arborist sounds like a really useful chap to know!

  • @willdougan9368
    @willdougan9368 Рік тому +1

    Great information and much needed as I embark upon my first allotment. thanks 😁

  • @rebeccametcalf4448
    @rebeccametcalf4448 Рік тому +1

    Just picked up a bucket of free compost from my city eco station 👍 excited for my balcony garden this year

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Yey! Hope you have a great gardening year. :-)

  • @carolinemorgan1712
    @carolinemorgan1712 Рік тому +1

    You are the best! I am new to growing fruit and veg, and have six new raised beds. It’s difficult to know what to do and when to do it, so these videos are extremely helpful.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      That's really great to hear Caroline. Thank you for watching. :-)

  • @timebong8366
    @timebong8366 Рік тому +3

    Nice but there is still 4 feet of snow here in northern Minnesota and below zero here

  • @marchosiasu9700
    @marchosiasu9700 Рік тому +1

    I love your videos, thank you so much. I'm just 19 and a beginner so it really means a lot! I love how passionate, yet "to the point" you are!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +1

      Thanks so much for watching and it’s great you’re getting into gardening - brilliant!

  • @dalairem
    @dalairem Рік тому +3

    Lovely stuff and right in time! (Zone 7a, checking in.) I was just looking at my beds and wondering if I should have a stab at them yet. Thank you!

  • @hanzketchup859
    @hanzketchup859 Рік тому +1

    Perfect Ben , Cheers , that explains this relationship between the root and the soil perfectly , excellent presentation .

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Thanks so much. :-)

  • @SmallholdingUK
    @SmallholdingUK Рік тому +2

    I’m almost, just about, nearly, self sufficient in homemade compost I reckon I’m making about 10-12 cubic meters each year by collecting everything I can but it’s amazing how much you need in the initial start up of a no dig garden, I’ve also just started making leaf mould to make my own seed sowing compost mix in future and I’ll do videos on this in future on my channel, sorry little plug there 😆
    Great video as always 👍

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      That's a great volume of compost to be making - good on you!

  • @sekanifinlay-bryan2119
    @sekanifinlay-bryan2119 Рік тому +1

    Hi Ben I'm here in the Midlands in Ireland and your videos have me wanting to go planting everything now! Going to get some seeds today, sown a few veg here and there but really going for it this year!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Great job Sekani - lots to look forward to this growing season! :-)

  • @KishorTwist
    @KishorTwist Рік тому +1

    Compost and mulch are are the not-so-secret garden secrets!

  • @EnlightenedPatriot1
    @EnlightenedPatriot1 Рік тому +1

    All good information, making me raring to go, which I have. Thanks for the tip on sourcing free horse manure. I shot up the road to a farm just 1/2 mile away where we used to store our touring caravan, so they knew me. They have a livery there, and when I asked, I was told to help myself whenever I wanted. The offer to pay for some was kindly turned down.
    The giant, well-rotted pile I came across (up a very messy, rutted track, sinking mud nearly over the top of my wellies and,so, undriveable) must have been worth a lot of money, going off your price paid, but I decided not to tell them that. 🙂, It was hard work but so worth the effort. So, after many years of getting nothing at all, my veg plot, rhubarb and 2 dwarf fruit trees planted this evening, have had a real treat. 👍

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Sounds like you're on to a really good supply of muck there! It's amazing how expensive it is these days - definitely worth going up and digging out what you can!

  • @RTG-FAMILY
    @RTG-FAMILY Рік тому +1

    We're a family of 8 and make plenty of compost. It sure does do amazing. I looked at the price of a small container of fertilizer at Walmart yesterday and omg, it was twenty nine bucks...

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      That is very expensive!

  • @conservativeslovekids5326
    @conservativeslovekids5326 Рік тому +4

    Excellent as always!

  • @senehdailylife5641
    @senehdailylife5641 Рік тому +3

    Thank you for your good video.

  • @shadyman6346
    @shadyman6346 Рік тому +1

    Your accent makes even manure, sound dignified. Great presentation...

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Haha - thanks very much! :-)

  • @abdsakowa
    @abdsakowa Місяць тому

    Thank you sir . I have got 2 quadrant of grass mowers which is looking decomposed

  • @toniedalton5448
    @toniedalton5448 Рік тому +1

    Good advice, as always. I now have 3 more fertilizer makers. Cows and a donkey. If this rain and mud slows dosn, I'm going to pick up a load to go on the gardens ( better than snow. . )
    Saw my crocus blooming so a good sign. Hope your weather is getting there.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Crocuses blooming are always a cheering sign Tonie. Weather here feels very spring like.

  • @conniewojahn6445
    @conniewojahn6445 Рік тому +3

    Snow drops! I've got snow drops brightening my dark soil. So spring! Lots of them, too. I'm encouraged by how they've naturalized in my flower beds. Meanwhile, my tulips have gone away. I'm looking forward to daffy blooms. They're up four inches or more already. I love their cheery yellow smiles. Who wouldn't? I'm still shifting and spreading leaf debris that's been in my compost bins for years and still hasn't rotted down. I have to rub it into a screen to break it up because it's too wet to shred with a machine. Got any tips to speed that up so I can get it spread before there's more growth on spring plants?

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +1

      Snowdrops lift the spirit, they really do! For your compost, if it's wet I'd try and add in some dry materials to balance it out - old leaves or torn-up cardboard, for example. This video may help: ua-cam.com/video/_K25WjjCBuw/v-deo.html

  • @AndreNantel
    @AndreNantel Рік тому +2

    Maybe a suggestion for a future video. Like you I have trees around my garden. After three years, the productivity of my nearest beds went way down. I dug in and saw that large tree roots had obviously sucked out all the nutriments. How do you deal with that?
    Next year I plan to dig them all out and lay down a root barrier. Then I’ll have to re-amend the whole thing but I’m sad to completely disturb these no-dig beds.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Great idea Andre. It sounds like you're doing the right thing though.

  • @weekend_art
    @weekend_art Рік тому +1

    I see Ben - I hit like. Thank you! I normally add compost in October, managed to transform sandy dutch soil to hold some moisture and grow many more things than before. It’s still a shady garden though

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Compost is great for transforming soil, definitely! :-)

  • @boscodiogigia
    @boscodiogigia Рік тому +2

    Well done!

  • @nancyarchibald9095
    @nancyarchibald9095 Рік тому +2

    We're so many months behind you, here in SE Idaho. (Abt 100 mi straight West from Jackson Hole, Wyoming) We still have nearly 2 ft of ICE on our roofs, 4 ft of snow on our lawns. With only 113 Average Days from Frost-Frost, our growing season is substantially less as well. BUT, I can get a tremendous harvest if I pre-sprout most seeds and fertilize weekly with a 16-16-16, adding trace minerals and Epson salts. Last year, we fertilized with rabbit manure and worm castings, BUT these organics were spent by mid-July.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Glad you still manage to grow a good harvest Nancy. :-)

  • @anapaulacrawford5837
    @anapaulacrawford5837 Рік тому +2

    Such great information. Thank you 😊

  • @mikki3961
    @mikki3961 Рік тому +2

    I love your energy! We still have a bit of snow on the beds, but I am excited for the season.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Not long to wait now!

  • @sherimatukonis6016
    @sherimatukonis6016 Рік тому +1

    This year, it'll be native soil (it's pretty good) next year I'll have compost (or maybe a little later this season as a mid season boost).

  • @garfar912
    @garfar912 Рік тому +1

    Great video thanks. I've become obsessed with my soil health. I figure by putting the effort and love in to the soil, the plants will be healthier and stronger, and will sort themselves out.
    We are lucky enough to live next door to a stables, so lots of long walks to the poop pile! Contamination is a real issue, some of the herbicides don't break down at all and will cause tomatoes, beans, potatoes all to fail. It's worth testing with bean seeds if there's any doubt.
    It is hard to get enough organic matter. We're aiming for zero waste, so most card and paper goes in (test for plastic coatings on paper with olive oil), ash from the stove and food waste including meat, bones etc goes in a bokashi. Annual weeds go in and I'm experimenting with perennial weeds in water. I'm thinking about growing lots more beans and other nitrogen fixers primarily to fix nitrogen from the air.
    Love the WESC idea. I've some old windows behind my shed that will be perfect. 😊😊

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Sounds like you've got a really thorough setup Alix - everything being made use of, which is great!

    • @milliewilkins2823
      @milliewilkins2823 Рік тому

      So agree. I'm found a new passion since I retired 3 years ago.....shredding cardboard for the garden. It's mulch, it's fertilizer, it's container water retention solution, it's EVERYTHING, except a boyfriend.....oh well....I didn't really need one anyway (smile)

  • @jeffhurst4744
    @jeffhurst4744 Рік тому

    As always - a compact direct and informative video on preparing one’s garden beds for an abundance of delicious veggies on your table. Thank you.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      You're welcome Jeff. :-)

  • @amandasylvester3878
    @amandasylvester3878 Рік тому +2

    Thanks Ben, in my third year, just got your Grow Veg book. Bedding plants sowed for the borders but can't wait to get the raised beds and greenhouse ready! Later here because I'm in the Highlands. Last frost could be mid May!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +1

      Great to hear you're already started Amanda. And thanks for buying the book! Here's to a super growing season for you!

  • @Howwerelivingfishing
    @Howwerelivingfishing Рік тому +2

    Looks like you’re having a warm winter. Here in Nova Scotia Canada the weather can’t decide if it’s winter or spring.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      It's that changeable time of year. Seems like spring really is around the corner here.

  • @jamiewwinter
    @jamiewwinter Рік тому +1

    Thanks alot Ben, just what I needed!

  • @TC-bd1di
    @TC-bd1di Рік тому

    Just got the key to my alottment today so perfect video timing!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Oh wow - congratulations!

  • @valoriegriego5212
    @valoriegriego5212 Рік тому +1

    Howdy Ben and precious Rosie. 👋 I have most of my containers ready for spring planting.👩🏾‍🌾 I've also been planting through our mild winter.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Great stuff Valorie - you'll be a few steps ahead and very much ready for the new growing season. :-)

  • @lesliekendall5668
    @lesliekendall5668 Рік тому +1

    The recycling business I use in the US charges $34 for a c.y. of compost (no manure) or topsoil (has manure) so I get both and mix it. $75 for delivery. Mulch is free from the arborists.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      That's a great price!

  • @morningstarstorey5609
    @morningstarstorey5609 Рік тому +1

    Duck Manure can be used right away due to its not as acidic as chicken manure and grass fed animals. A tip I got from an elder friend from Ireland. Much love all!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Great tip - thanks for sharing. :-)

    • @HRTsAFyre
      @HRTsAFyre Рік тому

      Oh you just gave me a good idea

  • @bobbyjones7505
    @bobbyjones7505 Рік тому +1

    Best channel on UA-cam

  • @brendadudderar8230
    @brendadudderar8230 Рік тому +2

    Great video. Just the information I need to get motivated!😊

  • @karolinapater2701
    @karolinapater2701 Рік тому +2

    Hi Ben, It is so lovely to watch your videos! It feels like I have an older brother who is telling me how to do things. :)

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Thanks Karolina - appreciate you watching. :-)

  • @paper601
    @paper601 Рік тому +1

    ☺️ your personality always shines through! Love this video 😊

  • @elenanoumilelini3930
    @elenanoumilelini3930 Рік тому +1

    ❤❤❤😍 thank you for the priceless information that you share.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      You're very welcome. :-)

  • @jonathanryals9934
    @jonathanryals9934 Рік тому +1

    I have a huge supply! My neighbor gets chips dumped from tree companies in the corner right next to my yard :) they mix it with horse manure with a tractor but a lot got pushed between some trees... anyways they can't get at it with the tractor so I can get all I want by hand :)

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      What a great resource to have to hand!

  • @katieistiredagain7288
    @katieistiredagain7288 Рік тому +1

    I'm leaving as many 'weeds' as I can this year (in areas I don't grow crops) to allow for some food for the bees, already I've got at least 6 different types of dandilions in my garden

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +1

      That's a really great thing to do. :-)

  • @bilalanwar9559
    @bilalanwar9559 Рік тому +1

    most informative video thanks for shere your expereance.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Thanks for watching. 😀

  • @jeanetteschulthe1andOnly
    @jeanetteschulthe1andOnly Рік тому +1

    Sorry Ben, don[t know if you do much about chickens but since this is an issue of the day is the only reason I put it here. What about a meal worm farm? Homestead Corner has a video today 2/12/23 on meal worm farms for the fav feathrd fri ends.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Interesting Jeanette. I've not come across those before, but seems like a very logical and sound idea.

  • @kathishamus7226
    @kathishamus7226 Рік тому +1

    Great video! I love watching Mac too.😊

  • @dtanner7
    @dtanner7 Рік тому +1

    How do you respond so quickly to all these comments? Wow!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      I try my best! :-)

  • @tonystephengrayson
    @tonystephengrayson Рік тому +1

    WESC sounds good, in most circumstances. I have cooch grass and either wild onions or garlic in all my beds. They MUST be dug out unfortunately as they just pop back through anything

  • @cassieoz1702
    @cassieoz1702 Рік тому +1

    We're just past mid-summer and I spread 2T of home made compost on the top of almost every bed (there are six 6m x 1.5m beds, plus asparagus beds and extra strawberry beds) and re-covered it with sugar cane mulch. Only the tomato bed will have to wait until they're finished. I'm getting everything ready to plant out my winter veg soon

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      You sound super-organised! :-)

    • @cassieoz1702
      @cassieoz1702 Рік тому

      @@GrowVeg I'm a bit of an all-or-nothing gal with 1.3 acres of garden. If I'm not organised, the triffids take over 🤣

    • @cassieoz1702
      @cassieoz1702 Рік тому

      @binanocht6110 that's a year worth of grass clippings, weeds, mulched shrub prunings, cat litter etc. The heap doesn't get kitchen scraps because they go to the chickens then, every 3 months, the chicken bedding goes in the heap with a few extra cow pats 😁

    • @cassieoz1702
      @cassieoz1702 Рік тому

      @@binanocht6110 why? Do you understand the microbiology involved?

  • @amyangell1722
    @amyangell1722 Рік тому +2

    Thank you for making such informative and enjoyable videos! Your channel is always my first stop when I have a garden question, and it is so helpful to follow along with these timely topics as the year goes on.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +1

      Thanks so much for watching Amy, really appreciate it. :-)

  • @lostpony4885
    @lostpony4885 Рік тому +1

    I counted on well rotted manure last year and it was not well rotted at all but quite hot n killed a few trees and so i got some bagged soil that was hot also and killed some berries. This year everything coming from bags gets dumped into a compost pile for a few weeks before it goes anywhere new my alive things

  • @saekan2815
    @saekan2815 Рік тому +1

    Always on point and on time. Thanks, Ben. Love your work.

  • @marciachi2487
    @marciachi2487 Рік тому +1

    SUPER! TACK så mycket! 🇸🇪🌷 Sweden 🙏🙏🙏🙏

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      You're very welcome. :-)

  • @barbiec4312
    @barbiec4312 Рік тому

    We always appreciate your encouragement and knowledge. Thank you!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      Thanks for watching. :-)

  • @firesunearthmoon8999
    @firesunearthmoon8999 Рік тому +1

    Ooh I’m excited to see your garden grow this season. That sh+t is beautiful!! I’m building 3 raised beds up with my compost this winter. You’ve educated & inspired me! Thanks always & Happy gardening Ben!

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      That's really great to hear. Happy gardening!

  • @Wings91
    @Wings91 6 місяців тому

    Really like WESC 🙂 very innovative. Planning to give that a go.

  • @christinebrooks6364
    @christinebrooks6364 Рік тому +1

    Hi Ben, great video on getting ready with plenty of information for the next season. Thanks for sharing and take care 🙂

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому +1

      Cheers Christine. I hope you have a great start to spring. :-)

  • @deborahdelacey9807
    @deborahdelacey9807 Рік тому +1

    Going to concentrate on improving the soil in my vegetable patch this autumn so thank you for this information. Looking for a strong arch to grow my beans etc next year and wondering where you got yours? Thank you for all your helpful videos.

    • @GrowVeg
      @GrowVeg  Рік тому

      My arches were from Agrs: www.agrs.co.uk/products/elegance-round-arch

  • @ThatBritishHomestead
    @ThatBritishHomestead Рік тому +1

    lol the soil looks amazing, we have added so much to our allotment this year!

  • @slamdunk58
    @slamdunk58 Рік тому +1

    Another great video. Thanks.