Living organic soil from start through recycling

[Weyenot]

I feel you MHG; it can be frustrating to have some helpful knowledge that simply makes sense and yet people think you are crazy or something!! I let that stuff get me down and feel like an alien at times but hey, maybe thats what it takes, sticking out in the crowd so more people will notice. Its a bit bumpy sometimes but isnt it worth it for what we believe in?
Maybe there is resistance because of the fear of change and the kneejerk aversion is a result of the truth touching a nerve somewhere; if so, than patience might just be a good remedy.
Here's one you wont have to convince
Keep at it brother!

 

[Scrappy4]

Alfalfa meal in compost can be considered a green portion for the green/brown thing, but you could use other green stuff like grass clippings. Once I used soy bean meal and it seemed to work well too. I have also used weeds, dandelions, comfrey, old organic liquid bottles. Just more diversity in my book. It's a good place to put in rock dusts too. I've even thrown in old lobster shells and crab leg shells.....scrappy

 

[Weyenot]

I don't know about the Cottonseed meal.

I've been told by several people that the cottonseed carries many chemicals with it... so if you do use it... make sure you compost it really really well after you add it to the leaves. I'm sure others will chime in.

Good thoughts, thank you!
I have heard about those pesky chemicals as well, plus the fact that most of it is GMO too. I will definitely let it for a loooong time. Im preparing to go on a long run of compost pile building and I wont use the same materials in each pile so Ill have diversity and I will also be able to let certain piles sit longer while I use others
Spice up Life with some diversity!

 

[Neo 420]

I don't know about the Cottonseed meal.

I've been told by several people that the cottonseed carries many chemicals with it... so if you do use it... make sure you compost it really really well after you add it to the leaves. I'm sure others will chime in.

That or its GMO.

 

[Weyenot]

Alfalfa meal in compost can be considered a green portion for the green/brown thing, but you could use other green stuff like grass clippings. Once I used soy bean meal and it seemed to work well too. I have also used weeds, dandelions, comfrey, old organic liquid bottles. Just more diversity in my book. It's a good place to put in rock dusts too. I've even thrown in old lobster shells and crab leg shells.....scrappy

Thank you scrappy, I guess it would be considered a 'green'; I hadnt thought about that. Im with you on the diversity!! I will be foraging soon for materials; its pretty cold here but there are still some greens about -curly dock and some grasses mostly- plus plenty dried plant stalks and such for brown, plus all these leaves!! I think a trip to the quarry is in order too, some granite dust would do nicely, plus I want to order some glacial and basalt from KIS. I dont have access to the sea but I bet I could check around at the seafood restaurants and get some shells
Thanks for the tips brother!

 

[SG1]

SG1, oak leaves make good compost and it's easy to get started. Look in a farm store for a bag of alfalfa meal, preferably organic, then add it in layers to your leaf pile. Wet it and soon it will heat up and eventually become compost. It will without alfalfa but adding it could shave a year off the time it takes. Another way that I have not tried myself is to put it in a black plastic bag, get it damp and seal it up. That would make leaf mold, and it takes several months. Either way those old leaves improve soil structure and will make it well worth your time to compost them......scrappy

Great info for next years compost.
I'll go get some alfalfa meal tomorrow.
One thing we get in the PNW is wetness.
And on acreage, have lots of trees and leaves.
Gonna convert a raised bed planter into a mega worm bin and compost pile.
Already tossing veggie scraps into it.

I hope to improve on these, all organic, but not getting the full potential out of them.
These in 1st pic are my jungle weed cut of some old Romulan.
The 2nd is a cross between The Purps and Romulan I bred called Halo.
Damn fine medicinal plants.

Hope you guys don't mind a couples pics of what I really enjoy doing.

 

[Weyenot]

That or its GMO.

I read an article recently that suggests that GMOs actually have an influence on the kinds of soil life that develop and they arent the good kind. I need to go look that up, some might find it interesting......
ok here we go; the article is off of *******.com http://articles.*******.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/01/12/ge-crops-affect-soil-fertility.aspx
I found it at least thought provoking

 

[Gascanastan]

Coot's 'The One'...5 gallon no-till ROLS ...coming down @ 65 days~

 

[YosemiteSam]

The living soil eats the paint right off those green bamboo stakes...nicely.

 

[rasputin]

Fahqin soopah.

 

[Gascanastan]

I don't know about the Cottonseed meal.

I've been told by several people that the cottonseed carries many chemicals with it... so if you do use it... make sure you compost it really really well after you add it to the leaves. I'm sure others will chime in.

Cotton is one of the most sprayed crops...bad news. If I remember,I think they actually have several types of sprays that hit it throughout the growing season.

...you'd never get that flack at our Farmers Co-Op...get 'em!

 

[Gascanastan]

Fahqin soopah.

Sofaking frosty...Thank you to Mr. Coot for preserving this living antique cut from 1984. Wow!...It never ceases to amaze me.

 

[Gascanastan]

The living soil eats the paint right off those green bamboo stakes...nicely.

They are very recycled....I think it's actually a dye. Some of the green stakes have a varnish on them...others brands don't. I quit buying those varnished ones and found the plain bamboo for nearly the same price. After each cycle I soak them all in a neem concentration.

 

[mogrow]

^^^^^great idea gas. your plant looks off the chart sticky too. been lurking around here for awhile. learned alot from this thread. have my compost going, comfrey ordered, earthworms living in a 100 gallon smart pot, bunch of dirt mixed up. shit im ready...
peace mogrow

 

[ColorGRo]

So I'm placing my order for the nutrient pack from kisorganics. I already have the premier peat and some soil aeration. Is there any other powder amendments I should get?

 

[reverseosmosis4]

So I'm placing my order for the nutrient pack from kisorganics. I already have the premier peat and some soil aeration. Is there any other powder amendments I should get?

I'm sure the other guys will agree here BUT, from looking at the KIS website the most beneficial maters that i will order here soon are as follows:


Neem Cake, Basalt Dust, Fish BONE meal, Crustacean Meal, Alaskan Humus, and the Glacial Rock Dust (depending on if you basalt) and last but not least, the K-Mag (a little goes a long way)

 

[reverseosmosis4]

there's some typos in there, but I'm really high and I didn't spell check...Please forgive me

After all, I did increase your experience working with Typonese....

 

[ColorGRo]

Ya i believe the nutrient pack has most of those in it.

 

[reverseosmosis4]

AHHH... I see that!!!.... Well then really it depends on how much soil you use on a cycle basis, and how often you will be re-amending.

With Re-amends for a good base mix, you can get away with just using1/4-1/2 cup Fish Bone Meal and Kelp Meal per cu ft.

 

[SilverSurfer_OG]

You soak your bamboo stakes in a neem solution?!

Now thats pro dude!