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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2006 6:59:02 GMT -6
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2006 7:08:06 GMT -6
Ok now were in the gardening section,so I'll start again!
Ya this is the technique I use...kinda...!
Only on a larger scale!
Now that I have more space I think instead of one LARGE garden I will try a few (I plotted out 6 maybe 8??)
smaller gardens.I do know the smaller plots are easier to maintain and still produce abundant produce! But there is planning involved,what grows well with what, growing times so there are no empty spots and such!
Once ya get it rollin it is pretty much low maintenance though!
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Post by lilsparrow on Jan 6, 2006 18:02:34 GMT -6
I'm excited about this...I'm thinking maybe I WILL try some gardening again. I used to love the canning and freezing part, just didn't care for the maintenance of the garden...  |
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Post by Songbird on Jan 6, 2006 23:12:15 GMT -6
All this soil building for nothing??   |
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Post by Compost Pharmer on Jan 7, 2006 7:06:54 GMT -6
NO NO NO, soil building is not for nothing. Whether you garden in a square foot structure or a hugh garden spot, you still need the same 'organically improved' soil. If it is a raised bed, you pour the 'organically improved' soil into the bed, or if it is a ground level bed, you improve the soil in the ground. Your plants will do so much better with the improved soil. Compost is the best fertilizer I have found yet. It is slow release and feeds the microbes that break it down further so the plants can use it.
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Post by lilsparrow on Jan 7, 2006 8:44:52 GMT -6
My question is, just how much "improved soil" do I need to add with the natural red clay soil of the area I will be working? The drainage of the soil is extremely poor, I fear everything will root rot... Anyway, that is why the raised bed makes a lot of sense where I will be... |
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Post by Compost Pharmer on Jan 7, 2006 16:53:13 GMT -6
DAP, if it was me I would fill in the entire raised bed with some good compost mixed with dried molasses and horicultural cornmeal. The cornmeal helps to stop underground fungus and the molasses help speed up the decompostion of the compost. I would make sure the compost is 'finished compost. I hope your raised bed is not to large. I bought 1 yard of compost for my 'punkin run and only paid $35.00 + tax for it. I had a little left over which I tilled into the garden with the other amendents mentioned.
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Post by lilsparrow on Jan 7, 2006 18:11:17 GMT -6
Sounds like I better plan on startin' small!!! Oh well, I'm not up there yet and I doubt if you can start a garden til March at the earliest...probably later~zone 7b, I think. I have a lot to learn!!!
Do you mix the cornmeal right in with the compost and molasses or start with a layer of it over the natural clay soil?
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Post by Compost Pharmer on Jan 7, 2006 21:01:31 GMT -6
DAP, what I would do is fill in the raised bed with compost, spread the dried molasses and hort cornmeal on top and till it all together. Will you have enough room to build a compost pile. If so, with each layer spread a couple of handfulls of dried molasses then water the pile. Any more questions just ask. Here are some pics of the compost bins that I built: 
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Post by lilsparrow on Jan 7, 2006 21:22:26 GMT -6
We bought 10 acres, however about 8 is wooded. So, yes, plenty of room for the compost pile. I will have to talk with hubby and have him save the grass clippings~the place is overgrown and needs A LOT of work! But, on the phlip side, that means there will be a lot to get a compost pile started too! How long does it take a phresh compost pile to ferment? About 18 months, right?
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