Join our Greener
Gardener Club today

 

We know how we all hate to be bombarded with emails, so if you join us, we won't do that. We are a small company but are growing fast and we are passionate about all things green. That is what has made it hard to decide what to "exclusively" offer our members;

 

We thought we would let you choose

 

Greener Gardener Club

 

 

Who We Are

Vital Earth is a supplier of organic peat free compost, fertilisers and soil improvers.

We care deeply about the environment and have created a website for the greener gardener.

If you haven’t already done so, why not take a look around this great site.

 

 

Light Soil

 

How can you tell?

Mainly sand and / or silt – feels rough between fingers. Drains and dries out quickly. Local wild vegetation may include gorse & heather.

 

What it needs?

Needs lots of organic matter to improve water holding and fertility, and mulches to conserve water.

Hungry: needs extra feeding, especially with vegetables and fruit. Liming may also be needed especially for members of the cabbage family. Usually acidic (use a pH meter to test) so ericaceous plants will grow well. BBC supply a list for acid soil

 

Which Vital Earth products help?

Farmyard Manure, Soil Improver, Vitalizer®, Organic Garden Compost.

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Heavy Soil

 

How can you tell?

Mainly Clay – feels sticky when moist, not crumbly. Dries out slowly (but usually has plenty of nutrients) - can set hard and be difficult to work.

 

What it needs?

Organic matter to open it up and improve drainage and ease cultivation.

pH neutral unless over chalk / limestone – could be ok for lime hating Ericaceous Plants – test soil first. Liming may be needed for vegetables.

In some gardens action will be required to clear water logging e.g. soak away / drainage ditch.

 

Which Vital Earth products help?

Soil Improver, Vitalizer®, Organic Garden Compost

(Ericaceous Compost for lime hating Plants). .

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Chalky Soil

 

How can you tell?

Usually with clay - white lumps of chalk or limestone are visible. Soil may be shallow in which case raised beds should be considered, or apply organic matter.

High pH (limey) – avoid lime-hating Ericaceous Plants: instead grow these in containers or raised beds of ericaceous compost.

 

What it needs?

It will have moderate fertility so this needs to be improved.

 

Which Vital Earth products help?

Soil Improver (and Bark Chips if pH reduction is required). Chicken Poo™ Chicken Manure, Vitalizer® Plant Food, Organic Garden Compost. (Garden Soil and Multi-Purpose Compost with added John Innes in raised beds and Ericaceous Compost in raised beds & containers).

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Medium Loam Soil

 

How can you tell?

Half way between light and heavy – an ideal soil! It is likely to be crumbly and dark – not gritty, slightly sticky when wet.

 

Usually ok for lime hating plants (but first test pH).

 

What it needs?

Apply organic matter to maintain fertility and soil structure.

 

Which Vital Earth products help?

Farmyard Manure, Chicken Poo™, Soil Improver, Vitalizer®, Organic Garden Compost.

(Ericaceous Compost for lime hating Plants if pH test is not favourable).