Posted on 03/02/2012 8:10:56 AM PST by JustaDumbBlonde
Weekly Gardening Thread (Catalog Fever) Vol. 1 Jan 6, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Seeds) Vol. 2, January 13, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread Vol. 3, January 20, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (U.S. Hardiness Zones) Supplemental Vol. 1
Weekly Gardening Thread (Soil Types) Vol. 4, January 27, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Vacation) Vol. 5, February 03, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Vacation) Vol. 6, February 10, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Vacation?) Vol. 7, February 17, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Home Sweet Home) Vol. 8, February 24, 2012
Next week: transplanting new tomato plants
Is there a smiple and easy way to check soil pH?
Detailed State Plant Hardiness Zone Maps
International Plant Hardiness Zone Maps
Australia
Canada
China
Europe
Japan
Hi, may I join your gardening list?
If your yard or garden is large, do the test in more than one spot.
Thanks!
Any recommendations from anyone on a cheap, enclosed, outdoor composting bin? I’m going to try composting for the first time.
You don’t have any soil types listed with soil capped by several feet of snow. That is the soil type I have!
Are you bragging or complaining Otzi...
The trick to successful composting is sunshine, moisture and turning pile often.
You can use a trash can, make a simple frame with scrap lumber, or just of pile of compost on the ground.
Compost ‘works’ better in a sunny spot, but moisture and turning more important.
Turn your compost pile every 3 days or so, and add water to maintain a high moisture content.
I use a rake to pull the compost pile apart, and then repile with a shovel - makes a tough project as easy as possible.
Consider using a compost screen to remove/recompost larger pieces as you start to use your compost.
The best plans I ever saw for a homemade compost bin used 2 old baskets from washing machines that were welded together and mounted on a stand. The air holes are already there and you make an access door.
But the cheapest and easiest way to get started is to find a spot on the ground and begin piling your kitchen scraps and yard waste there. There is really no need for an official 'bin'. You can turn it over with a garden rake or shovel when the time comes. That is the way that I started, and I still have a pile that is closer to the house than my compost enclosure.
LOL! Actually, I envy you and your snow. :)
My compost heap only gets turned a couple of times a year and breaks down very well. What is the advantage of turning every few days?
Me too. Well, not several feet, but a fraction of an inch!
Good morning. Oetzi That’s a good one!
Mornin’ Mr. Bender! How are you and the lovely missus?
Good morning tube blender.
Iceman Oetzi's DNA Shows He Was Predisposed To Heart Problems (and Lyme Disease)
Back in 1976 I learned that the Egyptian mummies residing at the University of Philadelphia suffered from varicose veins and gum disease. Some days, it seems hardly worth trying!
The more often you turn your compost pile, the faster it works.
And the top (dry) level will compost better too.
I’m sorry. I should have directed #15 and #18 at YOU I didnt think you’d be up and at ‘em so early.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.