Fertilizer Strips Uncovered

[Chucker]

I decided not to use the plastic covering over the soil mix in my wood SWCs. We've had some rain since I put them out and now the fertilizer strips (which were previously covered with mix) are exposed/visible. Should I worry about this or leave it alone?

Thanks

[kevokie]

Well, take this for what it's worth, 2 cents...I would at least cover them back up with some soil. Just thinking out loud but if they are in a swc, then you are relying on capillary effect of the water and nutrients dispersing throughout. Therefore, if the fertilizer dries out, then it won't be dispersed. That's just my thought. I didn't put anything over the top of mine either and notice that the top dries out pretty quick. I'm gonna cover with some wood mulch to keep it moist. Good luck.

[amideutch]

Chucker, I have 2 SWC's I bought here in Germany but top water them as I removed the fill tube. Water still goes into the reservoir and there is wicking going on. But I get better aeration as the water percolates through the aggregate and I can apply my ferts as I water. You need to decide how you want to do it. As you have two containers you could do a trial and leave one alone and bottom water and the other you could try doing the top water routine. What type of fertilizer did you use for your strip and is it slow release type. Ami

[Chucker]

kevokie - seems logical that it won't remain moist if it's not buried under the soil. I might cover it back up, but I'm worried it will work its way back to the top.

Ami - I used TomatoTone for the fertilizer strips, I think that's slow release. I plan to keep bottom watering, and was also planning to mulch with grass clippings when it start to warm up. I've read a few studies on grass clippings, and it seems that they may out-perform black plastic as far as tomato production goes.