Best Garden Resource

Soil improvement

October 16, 2009 - Posted by admin- 143 Comments

In order to improve your soil for planting, you need to first determine what type of soil you have. The common types are adobe, clay, sandy, loamy (most desirable). There are soil tester kits you can purchase or you can take a sample of your soil to the local farm bureau and they will test it for you When you determine the soil type, then you are ready to amend it with either compost, mulch, or both and sometimes (in the case of adobe or clay) you need to use a gypsum product to soften the soil. You’ll also want to amend with nutrients to make the soil rich for good growth. This could be in the form of animal fertilizer or chemicals. If you’re wanting to be more organic, definitely go with animal (chicken or steer) manure. Turn the soil over several times with a spade to mix in the nutrients and to soften it for planting. Another very good way to improve your soil is with composting. See the category on composting for a detailed description of how. The farm bureau will also be able to advise you on what the best proportion to use and how often. They usually have pamphlets for many of your planting needs. Also, check out “The Green Gardener’s Guide” at the top of this page. You can click on the picture to go to Amazon for an easy way to purchase it.

Composting-Reduce your Carbon Footprint and save money by composting.

October 15, 2009 - Posted by admin- 51 Comments

For thousands of years, composting has been nature’s way of recycling waste into its own nutrient source. You can reap the rewards of mother earth’s lessons at home. A home compost pile is an excellent way to extend the life of landfills, improve soil conditions and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. Your potted plants, landscape and garden will benefit from the organic nutrient-rich soil amendment produced.

Compost bins are available for purchase in a variety of shapes and sizes, or you can make your own. A successful pile will contain friendly bugs, worms, and micro-organisms that will do most of the work for you. Four essential ingredients provide these creatures with the best environment to do their work: carbon, nitrogen, water, and air. Below are the most common items used for a successful mix:

Grass and landscape trimmings, egg shells and fruit and vegetable scraps, leaves and hay, coffee grounds and filters, animal manure (chicken, rabbit, etc.) , bread and sauce-free pasta and rice, shredded paper and cardboard, fireplace ashes (cold),sawdust and wood chips.

DO NOT USE:
Black walnut tree, bamboo, BBQ coals or charcoal ash, meats, fats and dairy products, pet waste (dogs, cats, etc.), diseased or insect ridden plants, yard trimmings treated with pesticides.

Start with dry yard scraps like leaves, hay, wood chips and sawdust. They provide the carbon balance needed for a successful compost pile and help offset excess nitrogen. Add nitrogen-rich materials such as kitchen scraps (fruit and vegetable trimmings), yard and grass clippings and animal manure. They will act as the activator in your pile.

Water your pile until it is moist but not wet, or the consistency of a wrung out sponge. Water regularly during warm weather, and cover during wet weather to avoid excess moisture. Make sure your compost pile has adequate drainage so your pile doesn’t become soggy.

Give your compost pile air as the organisms that convert browns and green into compost need oxygen to survive. Turn your pile on a regular basis, about once a week . Adding leaves and shredded paper while aerating will help create air pockets.
To determine if your compost is ready to use, look for a dark brown material with an earthy aroma. The time can vary from weeks to months depending on the ingredients and conditions.
Master Gardening below, has a nice selection of compost bins as well as many other items that will make your gardening a little easier. They also offer free shipping on orders over $100.