this looks really similar to what she has posted on soilfoodweb.com ! Thanks. My lack of high N material proved to be fatal, and the thermal process did not last more than 10-11 days. I also think I did not have the pile moistened through properly and I think that would have helped the material break down faster in those first couple weeks. That being said.... I'm still hopeful that I'll have some compost ready to go in about 30 days or so. just gonna make sure it stays moist, and turn that sucker once or twice a week. I need it... just put the garden in. they'll make it for now, but I need some compost and I don't want to go and buy any lol. I hate buying stuff I can make, but if it's looking like it's not gonna happen, I'll go and pick some up.sorry for the confusion over the numbers, they got all scrambled between C & F
To follow up on that!
I just found very nicely structured composting instructions from Ingham here:
https://www.environmentcelebration.com/thermal-compost-10-steps-to-making-thermal-compost/
Cheers!
Ah, there's nothing like failure to really learn stuff, just have to get over my pride lolthis looks really similar to what she has posted on soilfoodweb.com ! Thanks. My lack of high N material proved to be fatal, and the thermal process did not last more than 10-11 days. I also think I did not have the pile moistened through properly and I think that would have helped the material break down faster in those first couple weeks. That being said.... I'm still hopeful that I'll have some compost ready to go in about 30 days or so. just gonna make sure it stays moist, and turn that sucker once or twice a week. I need it... just put the garden in. they'll make it for now, but I need some compost and I don't want to go and buy any lol. I hate buying stuff I can make, but if it's looking like it's not gonna happen, I'll go and pick some up.
I have some shots and plans for the veggie garden along with grow shots too. Just been too busy!
@calliandra sorry to see you lost the battle with the cherry tree... but you can still and will improve the health of the soil and the tree, over time. Looking forward to seeing your garden over the course of the season I gambled and put a bunch of stuff in the ground before June... forecast looks good
I need to work on plans for some cold frames so I can do some early/late season cruciferous veggies, beets, and other hardy greens. Nothing like maximizing the growing season. I have been having issues with my beets not getting very much size to them... the golden ones especially. I also have a rust/fungus that I get on my beet greens, and swiss chard that i'd like to try and fix this year. hopefully some good compost and teas will help me out with it.
thanks!!! that's a hell of a compliment! and to boot.... those are in 5 gallon plastics....Maaan those brainwrecks are looking as happy as DonBrennon plants!
very much congrats on your soil quality!!!!!
Oh amazing! Hey wait,. are these from your pots experiment?! how did that end - just tell me to go back if I've somehow missed a post on thatthanks!!! that's a hell of a compliment! and to boot.... those are in 5 gallon plastics....
unfortunately the results couldn't be recorded. i was away at school for the week when they went into the jars and they all got mixed together so i never could get an idea of what really happened lol. it's ok, my soil recipe is better and more dialed in now, so i will be repeating the experiment again very soon. Oh well! overall, the light as a whole averaged what i was getting when they were all in the same size container, which is not surprisingOh amazing! Hey wait,. are these from your pots experiment?! how did that end - just tell me to go back if I've somehow missed a post on that
Cheers!
Are you going to innoculate with compost tea?!also the compost pile still is not finished.... i didn't have enough high N when i started the pile... also.... i will be mixing all the materials together rather than doing the layers thing. it just makes a shit ton more sense to me to mix it all... maximizes the reaction for thermal processes... no brainer!
the next recipe i will try is going to be 5 parts high C, 4 parts low N, and 2 parts Coffee grounds. mix it all up, inoculate, and pray!
yup compost tea, and i'm gonna go get some old growth soil samples and inoculate with those as well. should be fun not sure when exactly i'll get around to it.Are you going to innoculate with compost tea?!
yeah, my first impulse would be to agree tooquestion though... would I want to inoculate with the old growth forest humus after the thermal processes have happened??? seems to make the most sense to me since they are not used to being exposed to 160deg. temps.....
Ooo that's bound to be really interesting! Apparently, the pile goes hot much faster that wayyup compost tea, and i'm gonna go get some old growth soil samples and inoculate with those as well. should be fun not sure when exactly i'll get around to it.