The Green Manure thread

[JackTheGrower]

Well Boys and Girls the first of two orders has arrived.
I'll be waiting for the second but, it will be time to turn it under when that second order comes.









There is still time to suggest materials to add.

JTG

 

[Pimpslapped]

There is still time to suggest materials to add.

JTG

Damn it's getting tall in there.

Wish I could think of good suggestions as to what you could add, but I think that you've got the basics covered. I'm playing around a little with my dirt and using some oats, rice and basic standards (Kelp, etc...)... I'm still pretty new to this and not all that knowledgeable on organics or I'd try and offer more feedback.

 

[SilverSurfer_OG]

There is still time to suggest materials to add.

How about some coco, green tea leaves/coffee or some dry baby milk if you are really brave...

 

[JackTheGrower]

Hey Silver and Pimped...

Hope ya had a nice Halloween!


The list of materials is growing. I'll announce them once I turn this cover crop ( aka Green Manure ) under.

Still waiting on the surprise..
On that milk... wouldn't raw fresh be better? I can buy that here.

 

[JackTheGrower]

I have a question... Is Enriched rice ( like Iron added ) the same iron plants can use?

If so cool!


That's a bonus..


So I ran out of time this morning. Time to add pictures.

Here is todays photos.

 

[JackTheGrower]

I couldn't wait to post a message!


It's flowering! The alfalfa is flowering!

I was just watering and I see three of them!

The cold water closed them up so maybe, in the morning I can get a shot.

I tell ya it's really hard to get a clean focus on them. I tried already.

We will see.

So cool! blue flowers!

-----------------------------

edit


Man I tell ya the auto focus has a hard time with those flowers..

Here is the best shot I could do this morning.

I had to use white background but there they are.

 

[SilverSurfer_OG]

Cool on the flowers man

What light schedule you running?

It was mentioned in the Organic Fanatic Collective that baby's milk contains heaps of extra good stuff like Folic acid, vit A, D3 (whatever that is?), E, K and added minerals...

I bought a tin that was on special at the supermarket for $15.

I would imagine pure organic cows milk would also contain lots of goodies.

 

[jaykush]

very nice jack, i was wondering how long they would take to flower. too bad the beneficial insects cant really get to them indoors.

silver surfer how much milk are you using say per gallon? too much will hurt the microherd but help at the same time.

 

[JackTheGrower]

Cool on the flowers man

What light schedule you running?

It was mentioned in the Organic Fanatic Collective that baby's milk contains heaps of extra good stuff like Folic acid, vit A, D3 (whatever that is?), E, K and added minerals...

I bought a tin that was on special at the supermarket for $15.

I would imagine pure organic cows milk would also contain lots of goodies.

I've been running twin MH 250's 24/7 since I started this crop.

I was surprised for sure..

 

[JackTheGrower]

Ah the last of the orders has arrived!

It's Its! .....






A snippit from http://www.springerlink.com/content/a70035007808p860/
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Summary Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was to determine the nutrient status of six varieties of plantain. A total of 12 minerals were detected in both the pulp and the peel although their concentrations differed from variety to variety. Of these elements, only two (Mg and Cl) were classified, as macronutrients while seven (Cr, Zn, Se, Fe, Co, Mn, and Cu) were micronutrients essential for human life. The concentration of Cl, Mn and Cr in the edible pulp far exceeds the recommendations of the Subcommittee on Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Aluminum, Br and Rb, which are neither classified as macro- nor micronutrients, were found in comparatively higher concentrations in the peel than is the pulp. The presence of seven micronutrients essential to human life in plantains makes it suitable for food, particularly in areas where micronutrient deficiencies may be prevalent.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I had a whim and ordered it. We will see how it works out as microherd food.

So the time to turn is at hand.

I'll try to get to it in the next day or two.


JTG


P.S. A nice link http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/banana.html

 

[JackTheGrower]

very nice jack, i was wondering how long they would take to flower. too bad the beneficial insects cant really get to them indoors.

silver surfer how much milk are you using say per gallon? too much will hurt the microherd but help at the same time.

Interesting ain't it....


I've been into organic gardening for 35 years and this "CAB" is the most nifty thing!

A 32 cubic foot box of soil allows for natural biological activity.

I'm happy you like the thread. I hope to hear more from others as well.

JTG

 

[SilverSurfer_OG]

Plantain? Yes, interesting...

I have only used the powdered milk once so far. I didnt use much, i think about 1tsp in 2.5 litres... It smelled bit funny but plants seemed to like it.

 

[JackTheGrower]

Today is the day! The Turn is here.

I assume it will take several posts to get all the photos in but, you are worth the effort.

I hope you enjoy.



Well it went well. I'm sitting here with a cold O'Doul's and feeling like I did some work.
Hey it was a bit of effort then again it always is with organic soil.
We need to work a bit to make it work out right.
"Then again Grow Organic when you Care Enough to Grow the Very best!"

Starting off I decided to stash the hand trimmers! Ha! I would have had hand cramps and been here all night!

So I have a new tool and I love it.
.








Now the work started. I knew that the smaller the pieces the better when it comes to mixing the alfalfa in the soil so, I went to town.
It felt a little like shearing a sheep; if any of you have done that.


A last look before the chop!





Here is a look at the soil temp before the turn. About 70 ish.
It's been a very warm October!

Also a better shot of those alfalfa flowers!







I managed to employ the burst mode on my Sony and took many pictures of the "chopping." Here are a Few.







The result was a somewhat flat trim of the plants.
I also bundled up the alfalfa by handfuls and trimmed off the plant material into smaller bits.
I'm all for micronazation of materials. They process faster.


The result looked like this.

 

[JackTheGrower]

Now on to the actual turning and material adding.






Now after I turned it all I went in and mixed it up by hand.
It is important to get a feel of how the soil is IMO.


After that I added the things I had on hand.





I added both fresh coffee and old coffee plus the filters.
Hey why not.

I understand the Plantain flour is acidic ... some where around 5 so I added more Dolomite than normal.
In the past I mostly add crushed oyster shell but this time it's all Dolomite.






Well that brings us up to date.

The last of these photos shows the mixed in photo of all the materials then the liquid out of the hose is a molasses/honey/compost tea mix I fed to the mix before I watered well.

I am hoping the microherd will kick in.

Funny thing that the layer of plantain flour and coffee was already noticeablly warmer before I mixed it in...

Well Boys and Girls that was fun.
I will update the "reusing of our soil aspect" in future posts.

That's all for today...

Tonight it's a nice dinner out with my lady.

Have a great weekend.


JTG

 

[JackTheGrower]

An Update already.

This morning I checked and it was 10 degrees up from base temps.




I turned and watered and now its 20 degrees F up from base temps.






Some say organic soil growing is too hard but once it's all in place nature handles it.
I find a comfort in the art. Indeed it is an art.

Below is how the soil looks after the turn this morning. Still a lot of green.
Shortly the tougher stems will turn from a rich nitrogen source ( a green ) to a brown ( carbon )

 

[JackTheGrower]

Things are going good.

The soil has a sweet smell slightly on the earthy side.

Still around 90 degrees F ; I'm not pileing so it's going to be less than the 100 - 110 it could be.


Here is a shot of my Garden spirits Bird and Bull

 

[Guest]

Good job, Jack. I find this interesting and thought provoking. I am in the process of moving and I figure I will do something very much like this during my down time. Thanks for taking the time to do this, Jack. I, for one, appreciate it.

 

[JackTheGrower]

Good job, Jack. I find this interesting and thought provoking. I am in the process of moving and I figure I will do something very much like this during my down time. Thanks for taking the time to do this, Jack. I, for one, appreciate it.

Thanks Old Fool,

The frayibility is the positive here. That quality that has improved with this "cover cropping"

It is also important to have great ventilation and I do! I should mention that for those thinking about an indoor system.

Turning the soil daily is a must.


Well Old Fool I will combine a reply with an update.


Today the temps are 99 degrees and I have that desireable fungus that I forget the name of. Anyone know?

A great sign the soil is healthy and dong fine as far as I know!

Correct me if I'm wrong but it is a good sign in a compost pile to find that white fungus yes?






The soil is a pleasure to run my hands through

Todays temp is 99.






It's looking good!


Some help with that name would be nice... I forgot.



Thanks


JTG

 

[blynx]

Actinomycetes or common name FireFang

 

[JackTheGrower]

Actinomycetes or common name FireFang

Thanks blynx