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Posted: Jan/24/2006 7:27 AM PST
I keep reading about soil preperation--that is probably one of THE most important things that you can do for your flowers-- I have read all kinds of things about compost & organic matter but I did not start a pile last fall-- but one thing that I do have is the mulch on my garden areas from last season--and alot of it--I kind of overdid it with the mulch thing--I bought way too much and it is very thick in places-- I also gathered up some saw dust from my neighbors cutting down a big tree last week--I spread a thin layer on top-- Do I need to go through and turn all the mulch and mix it in with the dirt or do I need to just leave it on top and fluff it up with what I get this year? Anybody got any suggestions on how I can use what I have at this point to get my soil composted and organically ready as much as I can from now until spring? I have leaves too that I can rake up onto the pile if need--I threw all of my plants on my neighbors stick pile last fall--I did not know better--wished I'd known what to do with it--I also have a big pile of sod/grass clumps from where I just started gardening this yard last spring and had to dig up lots of grass areas to make my beds--I used alot to fill in holes but I took the rest and dumped in my field next to me-I am planning several new beds this year and will be digging lots more grass clumps up to make them--can I use them too? thanks for your replies-- Amy |
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Posted: Jan/24/2006 7:35 AM PST
Hi Amy, You can start a compost *anytime*. You don't mention where you are.....when its colder it takes longer for things to decompose, but it still happens. Then, when it warms up, it'll just take a few weeks. You might not have some ready right away for planting season, but, for summer for sure, when you need to top-off or if some things need help, or even fall planting. Leaves work. They work even better if you can mulch them up (i.e with a lawn mower, etc). If you have to put them into your pile whole, keep turning the pile over and rotating it (a good rule anyways). But the smaller the organic matter, the faster the decomposition. I don't see sod/grass clumps being a problem either, if you break them up into smaller pieces. I believe, also, you want 2 parts soil to 1 part organic matter... or is it 1:1? Someone can correct me if I'm wrong. Perhaps its just equal parts.... I'm no expert on the subject, and there's many more who can offer more than I have, but I hope this starts to give you food for thought...  ...Jody |
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Posted: Jan/24/2006 9:02 AM PST
I'll update my profile--I am in New Tazewell, Tennessee (Eastern Tennessee) I thought that I was in zone 6 for the longest time, but some of the flower books that I have say that I am in zone 7? dont know if it is that big of a difference we used to get terribly big snows for days, but in the past 5-7 yrs. that has changed dramatically--we will usually only get a dusting of snow a couple times a yr. and only lays for 1 night/day--we do get down in the teens, though they may have to change the zones (or may already have) due to the global warming-- its good to hear about the compost--I was so afraid that I was too late for any compost stuff--I think if I were more educated on what can be used for compost I would have lots of things to use around me but I just dont know a lot yet--I'm learning little by little-- soil preparation would have to be about the most important thing in the beds/gardens!!--for me its the hardest job to deal with--lots of hard labor--dont have lots of finances so everything here has to be done by hand, by me, or it does not get done! I definitely know that this is the area that my garden lacks in the most--I started this yard last spring--it had nothing--2 huge lilac bushes and that was it--no flower/plant life at all--soil very untainted/unfertilized--especially based on the fact that my flowers did terrible last year--none grew much more than what they were when I bought them--its like they just did not have what they wanted to grow for me--I tried miracle grow/fertilizing some but that gets quite expensive--so they did not get much--I am hoping to make a big difference this year--also going to expand lots!!! thanks for your reply!! Amy |
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Posted: Jan/24/2006 9:23 AM PST
No problem, Amy. When the warmer weather comes and people come out of hiding, you'll get a LOT more information. They come out of the woodwork!! You're on the right track, with wanting to ammend the soil and take care of it. Good for you You're in a good 'zone' or geographical area to start a compost... There are posts for others in the same area as you.. get tips from them! They know best! I understand about having to do the work yourself, manually. Others will share in this as well. But oh... doesn't it make it feel so much more... worth it and earned??? Sawdust is good! Not sure about turning over the mulch on the already-made beds. Others will have to answer that for you. I'm looking to know that, myself. Yes, keep using the grass clumps. Oh, the grass hasn't been treated, right? Have you got a container, or contained area for said compost?? |
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Posted: Jan/24/2006 9:48 AM PST
Oh sooo much more satisfying to see the results and to get all those compliments--not alot of big flower gardens around--too much work for most--and those that do usually grow vegetables instead of flowers-- No, my grass is not treated--not that I know of, at least--I have not done anything to my grass other than mow it weekly and tried to plant some bare patches last yr. (the grass came up but died shortly after, think it was too hot for grass growing at the time) No compost container, only a pile of sod/grass clumps from last yr. over in the field--I left all my leaves all over the yard--to protect the bulbs and stuff--can rake them later and put them either straight on the beds or put them in the pile I had thought about making my own compost container--one out of chicken wire or maybe a wooden one but I would have to build it myself (no hubby, I am unfortunately widowed) and I have not learned how to make things like that yet--and it would be hard for me to find a place to put it--I am a stickler when it comes to foreign things in the yard--everything has to be so-so--(my house inside is a complete wreck--esp. from all the neglect during the summer and the depression in the winter of not being able to be outside, how ironic)--I did find a spot but it is kind of far off and would be a piece to haul to compost to the gardens--the pile across the field is there because I wanted to be sure you couldnt see it!--I am going to purchase me one of those durable wagons this year to help with the hauling and moving--last yr. was lots of bucket hauling and boy did that stink-- |
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Posted: Jan/24/2006 10:19 AM PST
You should make a container for the compost... just because it'll keep it contained and it'll have the 'compactness' to create the heat it needs. Chicken wire, or any sort of that fence would be perfect! Just get a few feet, wrap it around in a circle about 2 or 3 ft in diameter, and get pieces of wire to secure it from moving Or, like some of us, you can get one of those black containers made special for compost... they don't look *completely* hideous.. and you could always plant around them, taller plants, to disguise them, no?
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Posted: Jan/24/2006 11:56 AM PST
lucky I have a compost pile that I had set up in the wrong area -- it was really shaded and when I started it it wasn't with intentions of being a compost pile --just a back corner or the property to dump yard waist . I didn't pay attention to the correct layers of stuff I was putting in there . There was a thread here dealing with compost pile and last year I tried to work with my pile of debre ,cleaned it up a bit ,took out the large branches and other stuff and then added more stuff and started keeping it moist . Well that pile of crap back there turned into the most beautiful pile of compost. I can't wait to start using it . I am going to do a search for the compost thread and let you know if it is still on here , I really don't have mine contained. another thing you can do is put your yard waist and kitchen scraps (no meat or grease) in a large black garbage bag and set it in a sunny place turning it every once in a while and it will turn into compost in a month or so. We all learn as we go. You should also try to catch the HGTV show with Paul James The Gardener Guy he has a real down to earth approach to gardening not stuffy at all .If you don't get HGTV on your cable you can go to their web site WWW.HGTV.com and click on gardening and look for his name. Some people turn their mulch into the dirt every fall and let it break down over the winter and that will add good nutrition to the soil . Let me look for that compost thread and get back to you. swindyi |
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Posted: Jan/24/2006 12:48 PM PST
I'm back, go to the bottom of this forum, Composting and Soil to the "Display Options" you will see a box that says "Sort By" leave it as is . Below that the box says "From The" click on that arrow for the drop down and then click on "Beginning" and then click on "Show Threads" You will see 2 pages of threads dealing with compost and soil. I know you will find lots of information there in dealing with your soil and compost questions . Happy reading swindyi |
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Posted: Jan/24/2006 2:21 PM PST
Welcome to Garden Guides Amy....looks like you are finding your way around and lots of help....we are a friendly group of gardeners and friends....make yourself comfortable! I think zones are also determined by the amount and depth of frost in the ground ... you will find by trial and error what grows and does not grow in your garden! |
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Posted: Jan/24/2006 5:54 PM PST
I would only work the soil where you will be replanting. Then go ahead and work in the mulch. The only problem I see is that you may have a temporary nitrogen deficiency for a month or two while the carboniferous bark/wood is decomposed. As this process is completed the dying micro-organisms that cause the decomposition will die and release the nitrogen back to the site. So do it now if the ground allows to allow time for this process to play out prior to planting. Use last year's grass clumps in this year's beds. Lots of good topsoil attached to those roots as it was removed. Pile this years sod clumps to decompose for next year's use. |
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