Hi Suaz,
It’s interesting to read what you say about chalky soils, I’ve never had experience of one but you’re doing exactly what I would do by focusing on increasing fertility with organic matter. What do other organic gardeners do in your area? (Although didn’t you think the problem was the municipal compost rather than the soil?)
Seaweed extract and calcified seaweed are the only fertilisers I’ve used other than garden compost and I don’t think I’ve used more than 150ml of the extract in the last 5 years. I think a monthly spray of everything actively growing is generally recommended but I’ve never had time to doing anything other than watering it on a few crops maybe once or twice a year if that, and I can’t say I’ve noticed an effect. This corresponds to your quote from the Garden Organic catalogue about the effects being more noticeable on plants under stress. I won’t feel under so much pressure to use it now! I originally bought it because God Flowerdew recommends it for masking the smell of peas from mice when sowing direct.
It would be interesting to run an experiment (I have a biology degree so I’m always keen on these!) to observe the effects of seaweed extract on your poor seedlings compared to how they get on without.
Never heard of worm wee – didn’t realise that they do. Is it the stuff that flows out of the bottom of wormeries? I won’t be rushing out to buy a bottle.
Compostpope