How to use composted goat manure, worm castings and peat in Aegean gardens

Even the healthiest sapling struggles in compacted, waterlogged or nutrient-depleted ground. Across Ayvalık and Cunda, gardens often sit on stony, calcareous soil, whereas Sarımsaklı and Altınova plots tend to be sandy and fast-draining. Balancing both soil types relies on the right combination of composted organic matter and mineral drainage amendments.

Here is how to use the soils, organic fertilisers and landscape aggregates stocked at our nursery.

1. Screened composted goat manure: the backbone for olives and fruit trees

Composted Goat Manure is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and slow-release organic matter. Always use fully composted (aged) and screened manure—never raw manure, which generates heat, burns young roots and introduces weed seeds.

• Established olive and fruit trees: In late winter (January–March) or autumn, spread 2–3 kg around young trees and 5–10 kg around mature trees along the outer canopy drip line (keeping it clear of the trunk collar) and lightly hoe it into the top 5–10 cm of soil.
• New planting holes: Blend roughly 15–20% by volume thoroughly with the excavated garden soil rather than placing a pure manure layer at the bottom of the hole.

2. Worm castings (vermicompost): odourless, burn-free root booster

Solid Worm Castings contain humic and fulvic acids plus beneficial soil microbes that accelerate root establishment. Because vermicompost is completely odourless and never burns tender roots, it is ideal for indoor houseplants, balcony containers and newly transplanted seedlings:

• Mix 10–20% by volume into potting mixes when repotting, or top-dress existing containers in spring and autumn before watering.

3. Matching potting peat, pumice and basalt stone

• Potting Soil & Peat (20 L & 80 L): Use 20 L bags for balcony and indoor plant pots and 80 L professional sacks for tree planting and lawn top-dressing.
• Pumice Stone: Place a 3–5 cm drainage layer at the bottom of containers or blend 15% into soil mixes for olive trees, lavender, citrus and succulents. Unlike perlite, pumice does not float to the surface when watered.
• Basalt Decorative Stone: Laid over weed membrane around specimen trees and paths, dark anthracite basalt suppresses weeds and slows summer moisture evaporation.

Pick up bagged soil, composted goat manure, worm castings and decorative stone directly at our Ayvalık nursery, or contact our landscape team for bulk garden delivery and installation.