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Old 12-03-2012, 11:56 AM   #4 (permalink)
venturabananas
 
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Default Re: Compost at any time of the year?

I agree with Tony and Mitchel. I would only put mulch on the surface (i.e., don't work it in to the soil) and let it break down naturally, which will improve the clay. At this time of year, I wouldn't put down a super thick layer, maybe only a few inches thick, and I'd keep it maybe a foot away from the corm, just to minimize the possibility that the corm will rot. Unless you know your soil is calcium deficient (which is unlikely), I wouldn't add any gypsum. I went down that path. It ended up contributing to a boron deficiency because the two chemicals are antagonists. Regular application of good mulch that breaks down will improve your soil more than gypsum will, I think. My yard is all that nasty clay, too.

But you are right, it is weather that is making your plants look sad. Just wait until February or March and most of the banana plants in So Cal will look pretty sad.
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