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Garden Gate:  My wonderful Compost Heap  |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 06 2008 : 4:58:41 PM
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I have been able to add lots to my compost heap these past few weeks. I have been bagging the clipped grass and now the leaves on my huge tree are falling.
So today I decided to turn my compost heap today. This summer it got too much soil and too little organic material so it was really heavy. Now I got to mix in about 10 small lawnmower bags worth of grass and leaves in.
As I was mixing it by pulling one layer next to the heap and then mixing in some leaves/grass then pulling the next layer I found sever huge clumps of dirt that were absolutely jam packed full of worms! Little red/white worms and big HUGE night crawlers. I broke open the dirt and now the worms are pretty evenly distributed. They certainly weren't happy to be disturbed.
After I got done mixing it, I could tell a huge difference in weight. I started watering it so make sure all the plant material was nice and damp for the worms. I had to break open a few clumps of dirt with my hands and realized the dirt was really warm! Probably close to 95 degrees! I am so excited! That means my compost heap is on it's way to becoming a "hot" heap. I can't wait! After mowing, just about 4 days later I can already tell a huge difference in the pile. The fresh clipping have shrunk quite a bit and the heap had sunk in on itself compared to when I had added new material. I can't wait to see what this newly mixed heap looks like by Saturday! I am going to have to remember to mix it before mowing from now on.
I am sure the worms will be happier and less likely to clump once the heap is more compost that the composite parts of clay, grass, leaves and kitchen waste. But they must be thriving for me to have such a huge population in my heap!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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daylily
True Blue Farmgirl
114 Posts
Chris
Newcastle
CA
USA
114 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2008 : 5:53:30 PM
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Chris- The best way to jump start a flagging compost heap is to start chucking massive amounts of yard clipping on it! mine was pretty lack luster all summer since I was mulching the lawn instead of bagging, but now that I am bagging to collect the leaves and such, it is really taking off! I have dreams of it staying hot all winter long! LOL
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Oct 07 2008 : 04:40:17 AM
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Good job, Alee. I have to get out there and turn mine before snow flies. I just pulled up all my tomatoes, peppers and melon vines and threw them on top. The heap is pretty big right now. I'll wait a bit until the greenery slouches.
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
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asnedecor
True Blue Farmgirl
1054 Posts
Anne
Portland
Or
USA
1054 Posts |
Posted - Oct 07 2008 : 06:55:53 AM
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Alee - you are such a true farmgirl - "dreams of your compost staying hot all winter long" - only a farmgirl would say that. :) I too get all excited about the compost, the turning of the veggie garden getting it ready for winter thinking of how I will plant my garden for next year using my freshly cooked compost from this year.
Anne in Portland, OR
"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them" Eyeore from Winnie the Pooh
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Oct 07 2008 : 07:04:39 AM
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Isn't it amazing how wormy, warm dirt can be so exciting??? I bet Nora got a good lesson too. Great job Farmgirl Mama!!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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LisaLu
True Blue Farmgirl
126 Posts
Lisa
Wildomar
Ca
USA
126 Posts |
Posted - Oct 07 2008 : 07:47:20 AM
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I just turned my compost pile yesterday. It's in it's final stages. I don't have worms though. I find them throughout the garden and I'll dig them up & put them in the pile, but I never see them. I think mine may be too hot. The temps have been in the high 90's, and when I turn the pile, steam comes out. I keep it moist with water every other day. Any suggestions? I think it's so funny that we all love our compost piles so much. You girls are the only ones who "get it"!
LisaLu
Happiness is homemade... |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Oct 07 2008 : 11:38:39 AM
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Lisa- I agree! Composting is fun! I love mine!
Perhaps your pile is almost finished so there is less for them to eat? Or like you said, perhaps it is too hot for them? Maybe adding some fresh lawn/leaf clippings or even starting a new one for next year?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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asnedecor
True Blue Farmgirl
1054 Posts
Anne
Portland
Or
USA
1054 Posts |
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Garden Gate: My wonderful Compost Heap |
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My wonderful Compost Heap
