soil from under a conifer

by Dandelion 25th October 2010, 7:53 pm

I spent part of today raking up the debris from under our large conifer (Western Red Cedar) - a mixture of twigs, leaves/needles (I don't know what they're officially called - they have more form than a needle) and underneath a quantity of fine powdery earth. This is decomposed matter from quite a few years, and is like fine powdery compost. I know the answer is probably to try it and see, but does anyone know if this would be good for sowing seeds into, or would it deter germination?

by Compostwoman 25th October 2010, 8:04 pm

Mmm conifers and all evergreens in general ( with a few exceptions) have a weed suppressing chemical in them, the bareness under a leylandii hedge is not just due to water loss from the ssoil or shading...

I would try it with a fast germinating something now...and do a test pot as well with a normal seed medium.

I have had poor results but you might have better luck?

by Sparhawk 26th October 2010, 1:31 am

I think its good for mulching around strawberries, I would also guess it would be acidic which would probably make it good for blueberries... bigthink

by Compostwoman 26th October 2010, 9:54 am

sparhawk wrote:I think its good for mulching around strawberries, I would also guess it would be acidic which would probably make it good for blueberries...

Yes, the melcourt compost is made from composted pine bark and needles...

by Dandelion 26th October 2010, 12:24 pm

Will rake some up to use on the strawberries in the spring - sadly I can't develop a taste for blueberries (too 'perfumy'), but perhaps it will suit the tayberry as well (which now I come to think of it is fairly near the conifer, so gets a fair bit of 'conifer debris' round its roots and is doing very well.)
What about adding to the compost heap generally - presumably it will make the heap more acidic (so could balance up citrus peel??)

by Compostwoman 26th October 2010, 12:42 pm

Would have thought it would be ok, would neutralise the acidic effect if it were mixed in with other stuff...

by Dandelion 26th October 2010, 5:05 pm

Dandelion wrote:
What about adding to the compost heap generally - presumably it will make the heap more acidic (so could balance up citrus peel??)

I didn't mean that, did I? It would all make the heap more acidic so would need balancing with lime or browns.

Blame it on my need for lunch at the time!!

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