What a nice Easter Sunday!
By n2organics
4 comments
Where do I start?
Got a lot of things done in the yard today! I planted 100 sweet corn seeds in two different areas to start and this place will probably the best because it is the most heavily amended soil on my property:
The instructions on the pack of seeds said to plant them in fertile soil..
This area is way beyond fertile and has been amended with a host of organic amendments over the years. It is the most loose, well drained, and fertile area that I have. If those corn plants don’t grow well here, I give up! {chuckle}
Last weekend I planted 80 onion bulbs that looked pretty sad and one week later, look what happened in my super rich “pepper bed” :
4 inches tall after only one week! Amazing..Apparently onions seem to like organic soil also. :-)
Some of you probably noticed the bizarre looking mulch in this test area. It is organically grown shredded tree trimmings that is grown near the Austin, TX area that I have been testing and it composts very quickly in the area where the mulch meets the soil. Pretty cool stuff!
Today my brother in law gave me a few “rejects” that he had given up on:
This will be easy! Shade lovers that needs a little TLC.. I have the prefect location for these Cyclamen…
Nice Easter Sunday.. :-)
5 Apr, 2010
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Comments
"I'm a bit concerned about the 'mulch as I find that it tends to deplete the soil of nitrogen."
That can be true in some cases! That is why I never use mulch from any "big box stores" that is not native to my area. The best mulch in the world is shredded tree trimmings from a local tree service. Often these local companies would love to unload the trucks for FREE! The key to mulch is making sure that it has similar biology to your native soil. :-)
As far as nitrogen content goes, simply look at the ratios of nitrogen (green matter) and carbon (brown matter) work in a very hot (140 deg +) and healthy compost pile. Here's a link that will farther explain these ratios:
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/organic/garden/view_question/id/16/
I agree about the corn!
The best corn that I ever ate was last year's crop in the field! We "borrowed" a few ears from the farmer, peeled back the green husks, removed the silt, then spread real butter on the cobs, replaced the husks around the cob, and grilled it for about 30 minutes. It was out of this world! There's something about cooking the butter into the cobs within its' own husk growth that ads a flavor that is out of this world! :-)
6 Apr, 2010
n2, you're making me drool now, and I've not had dinner yet lol. I'll read your link later but 140 degrees, blimy I've no chance of reaching those temps in my little heap.
6 Apr, 2010
Sure you can Heron!
Simply add a little dry molasses or any sugar material to fire up the microbes, even shredded sugar beets works great! Keep it turned and aerated, and mother nature will kick up the temperature for you.. Add a little water from time to time so that the moisture level is slightly damp and you are good to go! My simple little pile usually has a core temperature of around 155 degrees (f) even on a 40 degree (f) morning and breaks down fully in about 4 months.
10 Apr, 2010
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4 Mar, 2010
Your corn will love that soil n2, I'm a bit concerned about the 'mulch as I find that it tends to deplete the soil of nitrogen. The onions will be ok as they are bulbs, might be an idea to try both with and without and see if there's ant difference. ps there's nothing like corn straight from the garden.
5 Apr, 2010