skip to main content

Gardening in Oz

Cheap Potassium source queries

15 years ago

Hiya,

I have heard that there is a slow release form of potassium in Granite Decomposition (Deco). The supplier has told me that I can purchase it for $7.50 per 30 litre bag or $68 per metre.

In the very near future I will be filling a raised bed with roughly 6 square metres of garden soil. I was wondering what percentage of Granite Decomposition should I put in the garden soil mix? Will there still be a need to use Potassium sulfate after using Granite Decomposition?

Can you purchase wood ash in Brisbane anywhere?

Thanks if you can help out in any way and or advice.

Regards,

wazzamcg

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

alisonoz_gw
15 years ago
You don't mention why you are wanting to add anything to your garden soil - without testing it. Are you a cook? If so you know that even following a recipe, you go slowly with a pinch and taste then add again if necessary. Sorry not suggesting you eat the soil but if its an alkalinity problem should you not test it first and then go from there - and that depends on what you are intending to grow.
You add way too much of one thing, you can cause more problems of other sorts.
Are you bringing in soil or re-using something from your site?
I'd suggest you contact some qualified people for advice, explaining all this and be guided by them.
Queensland Department of Primary Industries has a lot of facilities and though they are there for the industry, there are probably soil scientists just chafing at the bit to help anyone who needs it.
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/30_117.htm
You'll find contact details - why not try?
Similarly you might try your local council as they will have qualified horticulturalists, the Botanical Gardens or similar in your area, Landcare in your area, as well as suitable nurseries who might have other contracts.

G'luck
wazzamcg
Original Author
15 years ago
Well, I like to cook, but not a cook as such.

I want to use blood and bone as a organic fertiliser and the NPK of blood and bone is 5%:5%:0%, hence no potassium at all.

So I want to source a cheap potassium supply to compliment the blood and bone. That's why I was thinking of building it into the garden from the start. I want to make the soil up from scratch if I have to.

In another garden I had bought some so called "top of the range" vegetable garden mix at $80/m and it was terrible and got stuck with it and had to fix it myself over a long period grrrrrr. I don't want to through that again - fixing a premium product $$$$!

I will probably bring in a cheap garden mix and loam and start from there, unless someone can recommend a great quality vegetable soil mix I can source from the southside of Brisbane.

Thanks for the heads up on the Queensland Department of Primary Industries ;-) I pay my taxes so I should use them.

Regards,
Warren
Related Discussions
langbeinite vs potassium sulfate vs muriate of potash vs kmag
Q
Comments (5)
Like Potassium Sulfate (made by reacting Muriate of Potash with sulfuric acid) Muriate of Potash, or Potassium Chloride, is not an acceptable organic fertilizer because of the harm it does to your Soil Food Web and is therefore not an acceptable organic product. langbeinite, Potassium Magnesium Sulfate, or K-Mag is also a very soluble "fertilizer" knwon to be harmful to your Soil Food Web and is therefore not and acceptable organic product. Wood ash would be an acceptable source of both Potash and Calcium except the process of obtaining that ash produces prodigious quantities of air pollution. Composted chicken litter would be a good source, as would any animal manure if it is composted before adding to soil. There is some concern that the manure from egg factories will be loaded with antibiotics that are fed to the caged chickens in an effort to keep them laying eggs as long as possible. Your best bet for correcting any soil nutrient deficiency is compost and organic matter. I have seen my soil go from on deficient in Phosphorus, Potash, Calcium, and Magnesium, and a soil pH of 5.7, to a soil with optimal levels of P, K, Ca, and Mg and a soil pH of 7.2 using only compost and organic matter. It did take time, 3 or 4 years, but I did not spend any of my money on "fertilizers.
...See More
free (or cheap) 55 gallon drums needed
Q
Comments (34)
Kris, Let's see if somebody will start a new thread - but you can read all about the SBC product at the link below. What do you use to catch rainwater off your shed? Are you really limited to shed roof for runoff? The ground is the best source of rainwater catchment, particularly if you have a low-lying area of ground that holds water after a rain event. Digging a hole in the ground and installing a liner of any type is still the most efficient and cost-effective method. Robert Here is a link that might be useful: Quikwall SBC Info
...See More
Mylar sources query
Q
Comments (5)
(DCarch) Some shadows are visible. More shadows could be seen from different angles. Mylar is not 100% specular and there is more than one light; diffusion and multiple points of light improve distribution of light. In order to detect the weak spots, a light meter would be necessary. Are you disputing that white is a diffuse reflector, and mylar more specular? That wasn't even my main point; if the walls are lined with mylar instead of painted white, the room will tend to be hotter. I didn't say that mylar would necessarily "deteriorate" the growing conditions in the room; compared to what? Perhaps you have adequate ventilation to take care of the extra heat. I've talked with many growers and researched to verify the claims. You have...?
...See More
Potassium - what are good sources
Q
Comments (5)
blondboy47 I bought a bag of water soluble potash 0-0-60 at a local greenhouse. It was no where to be found in the big-box stores. I spinkled that and some epsom around the base of the palms and they both readily absorbed into the soil with a little water.
...See More

Related Stories

ENTRYWAYS Grand Entry Elements: Newel Posts Past and Present

By Mary Jo Bowling

They once spoke to wealth and class, but newel posts today say more about individual style

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Pick the Right Floor for Your Garden Room

By Billy Goodnick Garden Design

Crunch the facts on gravel, flagstone, brick, tile and more with our mini guide to outdoor flooring surfaces

NEUTRAL COLORS Color Guide: How to Work With Beige

By Samantha Schoech

If you yawn and dismiss it, you're missing out on beige's infinite subtleties and the possibilities it brings to room designs

GREEN DECORATING Go Cuckoo for Coconut Furniture and Surfaces

By The Sky is the Limit Design

Crack open a lesser-known ecofriendly design option: tiles, flooring, tables and more made from coconut shell and palm wood

SAVING WATER 11 Ways to Save Water at Home

By Carol Crotta

Whether you live in a drought-stricken area or just want to help preserve a precious resource, here are things you can do to use less water

KITCHEN DESIGN Get a Grip on Kitchen Cabinets With the Right Knobs and Pulls

Here's how to pair the right style, type and finish of cabinet hardware with your kitchen style

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry

By Susan Redman

Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin

DECORATING GUIDES Houzz Tour: Traditional Meets Transitional in a Townhouse

By Becky Harris

A Southern California couple downsizes, and their designer helps them push past traditional boundaries

WINDOW TREATMENTS Roller Shades Raise the Curtain on Style

By Mary Jo Bowling

The humble window treatment is stealing the scene with fresh patterns, color and pizzazz

BATHROOM VANITIES Better Places to Stash That Soap

Banish gloppy bars and flimsy pumps, and the only things you’ll need to clean are your hands

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Columbus' Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting