Fresh green wastes increase Nitrogen (N) which is vital to plant growth. Planting cover crops over the winter such as clover, oats, and winter rye not only aerate the soil with their deep roots and prevent erosion, they make excellent “green manure” when tilled into the garden in the early spring. Manures provide nutrients as well. Horse, sheep and rabbit manure must be aged or they can burn tender roots. You can apply the manure in the fall and till it under. Chicken poop is great because you can use it directly in the garden. Some people do not like using manures because they can add unwanted “weed seeds” into the soil. Composting in hot piles can remedy this.
A hot pile is a teeming microbial farm. Fungi, bacteria and microbes are naturally present on food and yard trimmings and when these guys get to work, your pile can get up to 140 degrees –enough to burn your hand. These organisms turn waste into rich soil components. The pile needs to have a balance of air, moisture and food for it to work. The high heat kills most weeds and anything that might cause disease. You want the pile to be about a 3-4 ft square (–really, round) and pile thin layers of Greens; (high in Nitrogen) like grass clippings and more vascular plant trimmings and Browns;(high in carbon) woody trimmings, straw, shredded dry leaves. You will find the temperature will be high for several days. Once it cools it is ready for use. Lee also goes by whether there are worms in the compost…”if there aren’t any worms it isn’t done.” Good advice!
No comments:
Post a Comment