A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Help!

I have a question. Does anyone know about greensand? If so how much do you use in your garden? I am a first time gardener any help is helpful for me. Thank you

i've never heard of it. but i am a southeast coast gardener. been gardening most of my life though.

Greensand is a natural source of potassium. I don't think it can burn a plant, but it should provide nutrients over a long period of time. I don't know the specific amount, but a teaspoon or so for tomatoes or a few tablespoons for a shrub should be alright.

Firstyeargardener2006,

Terry *aka Obywan* uses that stuff...
Give him a bit to swing thru...

(I know it's an organic type material, to loosen up heavier soils and can be used as a slow leaching mulch.. adds a bit of nutrients to the soil and gives air pockets to stuff like clay soils..)

And Welcome to The Garden Helper's Forum...
We are verrrrrry glad you found us....
For a first time gardener, we have alot to help you with, and we all enjoy helping...not only the new gardener but the plants as well..
It's an addiction you'll have for a long time.

Thank you jiffymouse,peppereater and weezie13,

I think one of my problems is that the bag is for big land (acreage) because it does not have instructions like most bags i have purchased for the yard. I do welcome any advice on gardening even if you think It's not needed. I still do not mind hearing or reading about it. Oh I'm also starting a scrap book for my gardening. Once I get more fimilar with this site i will post my garden up for you'll to see. Again thank you'll very much i do appreciate the help and advice.
firstyeargardener2006 (Nicky)

I use greensand on my vegetable gardens and around my roses. It is best applied in the fall, as it takes about 6 months for it to become available to the plants, but I have applied it in the spring also. It lasts a long time. I till it into my garden every 5 years or so, and some reports say it can last up to 10 years.

The application rates are 10 pounds per 100 square feet on soil low in potassium, 5 pounds for soils with average fertility, and 2 1/2 pounds to maintain production in productive, fertile soil. It's best to have a soil test done to determine soil fertility levels.

I mix my own rose fertilizer out of various organic fertilizers, including greensand, (applied monthly during the growing season) Then, after the first frost in fall, but before the ground freezes, I sprinkle 1/4 c. greensand around each plant.

Thank you very much for your help Obywan59.