| Author |
Garden Gate:  Compost  |
|
|
Jess_Quinn
Farmgirl in Training
36 Posts
Jessica
Gleason
TN
USA
36 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 16 2013 : 12:06:39 PM
|
I have just started making my own compost, but I do not have a spreader (or any clue what I am doing). Any suggestions for where to buy an affordable spreader or tips on how I might be able to make one myself? Any general garden/farmstead tips would be great as well....I'm 22 and just starting out on a small farmstead/agritourism business with my fiance (husband as of June 2013). We are starting this from scratch since we do not come from farming families. Thanks in advance!!
"He makes the grass to
grow for the cattle, and herb for
the service of man, that he
may bring forth food out
of the earth" Psalms 104:14
|
|
|
Dirtduchess
True Blue Farmgirl
693 Posts
Patsy
Decatur
TX
USA
693 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2013 : 1:43:19 PM
|
Go to YouTube and search compost bin. My favorite one is a compost bin I make from pallets. So easy.
Another favorite I use when I am lazy is just on the ground out of sight. I usually make it about 8'x8'. I put chicken wire around it to keep critters out.
The birds love it because of all the bugs and worms that live in it. I don't know what a spreader is. I use a pitchfork to stir everything up for air once in awhile.
I have had the barrel types and closed containers. They didn't work for me very well.My son uses an old pickup bed with a fence around it. I have a friend that found an old metal boat with holes in the bottom of it. He has used it for years. Have fun with it. I love my compost pile. I call it black gold for my plants.
Patsy
Farmgirl 4678
Leave room in your garden for the fairies to dance. |
 |
|
|
oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2013 : 2:47:03 PM
|
everything green can go into your compost, leaves, twigs, grass clippings,veggy and fruit leftovers, straw, manure of almost all kinds, i.e.:rabbit, chicken, horse, sheep, goat, cow...if you start your compost now, it will be ready next spring...make sure you let it get air, either by useing a wire pen type, or pallets, if not you will need to flip it regularly, add water when its dry...as for a spreader, you don't need one, when your garden bed is well tilled, you just layer your compost on top with a pichfork or by hand, then till again...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
|
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2013 : 05:20:34 AM
|
I just went on the first farm tour of a group I am involved in here. My farm was first, then we went to my friends farm up the road to talk about how they farm on a small area. They talked about compost and how they just went crazy last year, which was their first year to garden. They had soil samples done and they were told to NOT use so much compost for awhile. It was too high in so many nutrients and such. So go easy on the compost! But, it does depend on what you put in that compost too. They were using organic matter and lots of old organically grown hay.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2013 : 1:49:00 PM
|
Honestly, I'm so lazy that I dig a hole and fill it with kitchen waste close to my plants (beware...dogs WILL dig it up if you have them). The stuff breaks down naturally, and I don't have to worry with turning it, etc. Before, I had a raised bed frame that I used. I NEEDED a screen on it to keep out the critters. Otherwise, it worked beautifully. I turned it when I remembered it, and it did just fine. I'm a lazy gardener! Lol. I haven't tested my soil, but I add compost yearly and things do great. It's my own 'black gold'.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
|
|
|
country roads
True Blue Farmgirl
443 Posts
Melissa
Shinglehouse
Pa
USA
443 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2013 : 05:42:16 AM
|
Can I put guinea pig poo right in my garden or does it need to be through the compost pile first?
Take care, Melissa.
Farmgirl # 352
~Think happy thoughts~ |
|
|
|
msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2013 : 1:50:21 PM
|
Melissa, piggy poo (guinea pig!) can go straight in the garden :0)
I have even used rabbit poo straight in, though it is supposed to be a bit 'hot' (read: high nitrogen).
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
|
|
|
country roads
True Blue Farmgirl
443 Posts
Melissa
Shinglehouse
Pa
USA
443 Posts |
Posted - Apr 26 2013 : 04:01:20 AM
|
Thanks Amanda, good to know about the rabbit poo. We have lots of that too!
Take care, Melissa.
Farmgirl # 352
~Think happy thoughts~ |
|
|
| |
Garden Gate: Compost |
|
Compost
