Compost Info

[Unkle_John]

From another website:

Organic Composting:

Good compost added throughout the year will give your plants a much healthier life. They will be more resistant to bugs and will be getting a slow release via the compost into the soil of the nutrients they need to survive. The NPK balance is likely to be severely depleted by year round growing. What you are looking for is a rich humus in your finished compost and if your compost is taking a long time to finish, chances are there is not enough heat build up to be destroying disease and weed seeds. The most common reason for this is not enough green material in the pile, oxygen or manure. The pile is best put in a container with 3/4 sides and a bottom or to prevent leaching, drying out or overwatering. If the pile smells too strong, there could be too much nitrogen, don't put animal products into your compost (exccept eggshells and manure!). Chopping up the ingredients helps break it down faster. Some good ingredients to add are: green leaves and vegatable waste, comfrey leaves, worm castings, algae from your pond, coffee grounds, egg shells, dryer lint, manure, a small amount of pine needles and wood ash.

Wait... back up.
...egg shells, dryer lint, manure, a small amount of pine needles and wood ash.

Dryer Lint. Really?
That's a new one on me. Wouldn't it have soap in it? I mean that's why I don't use the run-off from the washing machine to water my fruit baring or edible plants.

[CowboyHippy]

i suppose it wouls depend how good your rinse cycle is, theoretically the soap would be rinsed out to trace ammounts. and maybe whatever cool action the compoisting does small ammounts wont hurt it. it is pretty light fluffy stuff, i imagine it would breakdown easy.

i prefer to make firestarters with mine anyway

lint parafin and cardboard.....

[StellaBlue]

I love my firestarters made from lint and wax. I usually use egg cartons to pour the wax in so they are little.

[LIBRA]

Oh thats a great idea, wax coated lint. I could totally make something for my camping friends for christmas with that. Ive seen the hay with wax as a firestarter.

I compost lint, but I use natural laundry soap so I guess I never thought about it. It breaks down just fine. But I dont have a whole lot of it generally, we line dry, even in the winter.

I compost everything, and what doesnt go into the pile, goes into another pile which i dont touch. After awhile the dirt under the pile I dont touch is great. The other pile I pay attention too. Well alittle anyway.

People in the town I work in pay to have leaves removed, so last year I got like 20 bags of leaves from this lady and there were a ton of pine needles mixed in, there a bear to break down. I spread em around where I want to put pumpkins next year. Hoping they will be like a mulch. The rest I make leaf mold with, and mix with the compost.

I seriously love composting. I need that as a bumper sticker lol

[Unkle_John]

Hmm that's a good idea!

We've been leaving it in a spot in our back yard so that the birds and squirrels can use it for nests.
But besides what Cowboy said, dose anyone actually use that kind of water on your plants?
And what about composting dryer lint... good idea?

[LIBRA]

Another good idea I never thought about the birdies!!!


Ya, John, I compost dryer lint, I cant see what kind of benefit it has really other then composting it means not throwing it away, but that firestarter deal is sweet and so is the bird bit. I dont use the grey water though, but I would. I rain barrel is my next project.

[CowboyHippy]

problem i got with cardboard egg cartons is that they are few and far between round here, only a couple stores carry them and we dont shop there often, and the roadside egg places (which are suprisingly plentiful and have very competative prices) usually knock it down .25-.50 a dozen if you bring back a carton when you buy your next batch.

tp tubes work fairly well, hold them down on the counter and pack them tight

[LIBRA]

Kris is the official compost master
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2681/2/125/786339694/n786339694_1448072_2089335.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1448073&id=786339694)


Add some dry leaves and mix some more!!
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2681/2/125/786339694/n786339694_1448074_2362020.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1448073&id=786339694)


He then added it to my asparagus patch
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2681/2/125/786339694/n786339694_1448087_5754996.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1448073&id=786339694)

Lil baby asparagus LOVE it!!!
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2681/2/125/786339694/n786339694_1448093_7295530.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1448073&id=786339694)

[poppy]

Yay Compost, Hooray!!!! Pine Needles Rock! eggshells are delightful!

Yay!

Hi, How are you? Sorry to sound so corny, it's rare to be able to listen (read) in on the reasonings of people who are passionate about hard work and reward. And it's Nice. :) I love compost! And even more, to watch our youth relearn the skills that our past generations were so eager to forget....then to see the reward in an asparagus chute. Nice.

I feel like a total nerd....and that is ok.

This is my first real year having the space to grow a lovely garden, growing up my mother always had one, but as an adult I have had limited space in the past. This year is very different, and we are planting for the future, including Grapes, Blueberries and Raspberries(there were already blackberries), and Artichokes. Also we Have A lovely Variety of Herbs Growing, a ton of Basil, Chamomile, Classic Culinary and Pineapple Sage, Oregano, Terragon, Lemon Thyme, Mint, Dill, Cilantro, Roses for hips and of Course The Shrubbery Rosemary. We planted Sunflowers in different places around the yard, Strawberries, Watermelon, Cantelope, Cucumbers, Pole Beans, Bell peppers, Tomatoes, Summer Squash zuchini and yellow) Cabbage, Romaine Lettuce, Carrots, Winter Squash (acorn and pumpkin) Everything is Blossoming and Producing, Stout and Study, Gorgeous! It is just about time to Plant our second wave of carrots and greens. Seriously it feels Like Heaven Watering every day and watching it grow.

I hope Spring is as Lightening to each of you as this topic is.

[LIBRA]

Hey dont feel bad Im a big dork too!!! I love composting and I love that Kris has taken it upon himself to make sure its turned and he dumps the bucket of scraps daily, its a good chore for him!! He has learned alot!!

Great garden poppy!!!! How lovely, you have a full bounty isnt it the best feeling ever!! My garden is just begun, its still pretty cold here. But my beets are up, spinach, broccoli, brussel sprouts, arugala, red leaf lettuce, onions, garlic. Just lil babies though, I cant want to eat my first tomatoe, yummm!!!

Hooray for spring!!! Im glad you pop back in every now and again, dont be a stranger:hb:

[hedgewitch]

Another reason to use Soapnuts (http://www.buysoapnuts.com/index.html)

:hippie:

[poppy]

Thanks for the warm welcome....I am somewhat flighty I guess, but I do like to check in when I can.....It is So Warm here and almost subtropical, So everything is going off. Your Garden Sounds Lovely....I'd like to expand our variety a bit next year, with things like Rhubarb and Rhutabega, Different Greens and Such. Maybe a unique tomato variety.
Something about the way a vegetable tastes Right off the Vine, Isn't it great? Much more Rich and Alive....Our Romaines are Huge, Delightful and Yummy. The Tomatoes are just forming. Oooohh and rasberries are growing on the bramble already, Yay!...I'll have to try and post a picture of them, so sweet.
I'd like to try and fry up some zuchini flowers....I've never had them before...and we have plenty.....but there goes the health quality, FRIED zuchini flowers.....it's an indulgence. I'll post on how they turn out since I added that note.

On another tip, something is eating the outer leaves of our cabbage but we aren't sure what, it eats them at night. A bug of somekind. Do squirrels eat cabbage? Birds?

[LIBRA]

Im not sure Ive never grown cabbage but, rabbits, woodchucks deer will all eat it.

Your garden sounds great, id love to see pics!! I always get ahead of myself and grow too much, it can be overwhelming at times. Im trying out bee keeping this year too and I am sooo excited about it!!! I will post pics! I get the hive saturday and the bees the following saturday. I dont think I have ever been so excited about something this much!! :D

[poppy]

Yay!!!!! Bee Keeping? How exciting! I cannot Wait to see your Hive.....WOW!
Living the Dream. Rock on Lovely.

I think I am almost as excited as you are about it. One of my very Favorite Books of all time is: The Self Sufficient Gardener, It has tips on everything from rotating your garden to Bee Keeping.....I am SO Happy for You!!!!!!!!!!! Whoo Hoo Libra!

[LIBRA]

Thanks!!! Im excited and nervous at the same time, I have been a big cheesy grinning fool since I decided to just do it. :D

I cant wait to harvest honey and the wax!! I gotta come up with a cool name. My mom wants it to be Neecies Bees LOL, cause my name is Denise and my whole family calls me Neecie. Wild Mountain Hunny...? I have time to decide.

[poppy]

They Both sound Cool, Neecies Bees reminds me of, it's the Bees Knees.
ya know like Cat's Pajamas.....I can't help but Grin With ya.....How exciting:D

[poppy]

Can somebody tell me how to route attachments to a post....so I might share some sweet pictures of our baby fruits and such.....it would be much appreciated.

[LIBRA]

you can copy and paste pics right on your post!!!

Picked up my hive today, minus the bees i get them next saturday!!!!! Im on cloud nine it is soooooo cool!!!!!!!!!!

[poppy]

Ok Great Thanks...let's seee I'm giving it a go....My computer has security concerns with doing this UGGGGG...one more try

[poppy]

Well I guess no posted pics for me, I created an album instead. So if you want to see our goodies you'll have to check it out. I guess it's more personal that way anyhow, now isn't it.

Also, I think I figgered out what has been mowing through our cabbage. You can tell it is a bug by the damage, and so yesterday I walked down the row, checking the base of each plant and in between leaves, hoping to find stuffed and resting bugs. I found one fat green Worm Sleeping on a leaf, and some slugs resting around the base of few plants. (do slugs like cabbage?) What's worse, I went out this morning to get lettuce for the guys lunches, and I noticed some droppings from them on one lettuce. They think they're moving on up, huh? Not in my garden they aren't! Cabbage is not our favorite so we tolerated them for a minute, but you touch the Romaine Suckers and You're Done!
Someone said we should leave a cookie sheet with beer on it out for them.
I thought you used salt to kill them, but was told it would damage the plants.
I need to read up a bit to come up with a grand solution.
Slug bait was suggested as an inexpensive solution, I think I would prefer to use more of a home remedy.

I made sure to include a picture of the cabbage row, so you can see the difference from one end to the other. The far end is pretty badly eaten up.
Everything Else is looking Lovely, Big Smile :)

[LIBRA]

Ya put beer in a pie plate or something shallow and the slugs will lap it up, and they cant get out so the party stops there for em!

[poppy]

Coool, Yep....now the new problem is Aphids.....thankfully we have plenty of natures lil pesticide(ladybugs) hangin around, but this is also a bad thing, because it means they have plenty of food.

Lady Bugs.....I am soo bummed because the garden stores where I came from sell lady bugs, but I haven't found anywhere to get them here.....not good, the more lil ladies we have out there the better.

We've been using slightly fermented onion and garlic spray as a pesticide. we must not be spraying often enough. I will look that up when I'm done posting here...how often? It's my papas job, but I am about to take over.....mutiny! JK LOL!
He's been a bit lazy about the garden the past couple of weeks....not to bag.

Squashes are getting to be so plump, and we have green beans, yay! Tomatoes are getting bigger and more prevalent. and the bell peppers are also producing well. We need to plant our next wave of greens....lovely..:ufo:..happy.....outside of aphids.

Beer on a cookie sheet....the way to go.:cheers:

[poppy]

Well the recipe I found is the same as ours,
I said something wrong through....steeped. not fermented, but we do this for a bit longer than they state.
They didn't say how often, But I don't think I needed them too. I need to be spraying every couple/few days. Instinct and common sense. Making the stuff once a week, and using it every other day or so....I like to water that way too, kind of odd. Water once in the afternoon one day and then in the morning and afternoon another. and them only in the afternoon the next..skipping a day here or there. Draining and saturating and draining and saturating.....wax on...wax off.....Such an Odd Duck I am sometimes. Quack.

Hey ducks can fly.....If I were ever reincarnated as an animal, I would want it to be a bird, no question. My favorite Sound in Life is the Wind Blowing through the trees, glittering leaves. What would you be. and why? Curiousity Inspires Me.

[LIBRA]

Oh do tell the recipe I had aphid issues last year, yuck! I did soapy water and it didnt work. You can order lady bugs online, sounds silly but you can. :p

Man I wish my garden was producing already, I cant wait!!!! I just got my brussel sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower in the ground, spinach and many diiff greens too. Peas, snow, bush, string all going in ground too just not up yet. Too soon to put my tomatoes out yet, soon though. I cant wait :D Beets, carrots going in this weekend. I planted most seeds last sat during the full moon we'll see if it helps.

Hmmm if I were an animal Id want to be, hmmm tough choice, I love the water so maybe a whale or a river otter, but an eagle would be awesome too. Im way to indecisive to chose just one,lol

[poppy]

Otters are the stuff, I prefer sea otters though. I used to see them alot chilling on their back munching on a crab or clam and a seagull out in front...they are the only otters who live their entire lives in the water, sleeping and everything. They roll themselves up in seaweed to stay anchored, it is the sweetest thing...

I will pull the recipe out of our high yield mag and post it...we are goin to make up a batch later tonight.....it says to use only once a week. As it turns out, we have enough ladies living in the garden already I think. I am very pleased to report that they are having their effect....Yay....I keep seeing more and more of them, and less and less aphids....I just wonder/worry how the spray will affect them....It is supposed to be effective against beetles, aphids, slugs etc.

On another note...How is your hive coming along?....I wasn't goin to mention it...I figured you'll post when you're ready.

I spent the majority of yesterday afternoon and this morning pulling all the grasses that had taken root in the tomato patch. The fruits of my labor are in the album, along with a pic of some green beans, and grapes...Ms. Rue Kitty is also pictured....I bought her some salmon today at the store.... and my hunny a sushi roll. yum.

[poppy]

Ok, here ya go....also, this recipe calls for tobacco. Due to further study, I do not recommend complying with this request.

2 parts Garlic
2 parts onion
1 part pine oil (quite effective for aphids and white fly)
2 parts liquid detergent
30 parts Water

Combine Last two ingredients, Shred First two together and add them in. Add 30 parts water and steep 4-6 hours. Strain and Spray.

the article related to this recipe can be found in the Jan-Feb 2007 issue of Maximum Yield. Further it states:

" For soaps to qualify for an organic designation the detergent or dish soap used must be pure or organic. The detergent works as a contact insecticide and breaks down the insect's exoskeleton, causing it to dehydrate and die.
An effective bug repellant spray can be made by boiling the juices of various herbs in a pot of water. Heating will release their sharp odours, and once cooled the mixture can be sprayed directly on the leaves of plants. Diluted citrus juice also has bug repelling properties."

Do not boil the above recipe.

Another Statement made in the article is this:

"WARNING: Tobacco should not be used on tomatoes, peppers, eggplant or other members of the solanaceous family"

[LIBRA]

Awesome thanks :)

I get the actual bees on saturday 12,000 of em :D!!!!! But I got the hive, smoker, suit, hive tool and all I need now is the bees and fencing... I am stuck on fencing. I think Im going to do solar electric fencing and hope it keeps out the bears, its really expensive but so is the hive set up so I want to make sure that its protected, bears destroy entire hives.

So I will let ya know saturday how it goes, hope I dont get stung too much :bawl: Im nervous and really excited, hopefully the bees can tell the difference!!!

[poppy]

Sounds Expensive, and well worth the cost to protect the bees. How Neat to work with bees....Gardening has given me a new appreciation for bugs. How well they can work for us and against us in the garden. Bees are the Bomb....my next garden photo should include the ladybugs. :)

I think you might feel more focused than anything at the given time....and if we can tell what someone is feeling given our weakened instincts as humans....imagine how much better they will vibe...vibe like a buzzing Hive.... I can completely imagine the nerves right now though....anticipation. anti ci paaaa tion. Sorry LOL.

[poppy]

I posted LadyBug Pics.....We decided to not make another batch of garlic spray due to our concern over the ladies....they are doing their job so well...we don't want to hurt them. :)

[LIBRA]

The pics are great! Your so lucky they came to the rescue!

I got my bees saturday it was crazy!! Im going to be kinda blogging about it on the home page here, I will let you know when it is up. But the bee's are doing great, I just hope nothing gets to them before I can get the fencing up. That would be a total buzz kill :D har har har!!