Killer Compost/Murderous Mulch

[Mini Horses]

Well I am always happy to find weeds in hay -- for this reason.

Some hay fields here on the E coast do not get sprayed because the type grass used -- which grows well & dries well with humidity issues -- generally gets thick and chokes out most weeds. Thus, some herbicides not needed, esp if an older field. I stopped use of pasture sprays over 14 years ago. Now, hay can bring an amount into manure. It's almost impossible to be 100%.

Any bedding I use is generally shavings. And, that would be my choice for mulch, at this point. My chickens are free range but cooped at night and while they eat grass, rarely any hay, I consider that manure to be the safer for a garden and a little goes a long way. I use only shavings in their coops. Yes, the grass could have some contamination but not as much. Really, I don't use a lot of hay anymore....lot of feed with beet pulp. So maybe the BP is contaminated?

Darned chemical people!!!!

I'm gonna check bean seeds -- just to check it out! Judging from the WEEDS in my fields, it can't be very saturated. Maybe I will just put the horse or goat manure on the plant to see if THAT is an issue. Seems we are always challenged.

 

[chefsdreams]

i have a neighbor who talks to me about 'cold compost', he got me so riled up that i had to try it. but my space is much smaller than yours. i've been reading about compost tea brewers. it's pretty complicated, but i think i may try this.
has anybody had any experience with these?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I have used feed bags before also. Made a big mistake when I used the poly/woven ones. Sun broke them down in a season and they left those long woven 'threads' all over the garden.... don't try that one! But, I'm going to a feed store now that only uses paper sacks. I need to start saving them again because they do work fairly well. In fact I've used them in conjunction with the hay. Put the sacks down and cover with hay cuz I just think the hay looks nicer than the sacks being exposed. Can't do that anymore until I get a new source of hay. I think if I can find a source - I'll use wood chips. My neighbor occasionally works a weekend with his cousin who has a tree business. If I could get a couple trailer loads of chips that would be a nice BONUS!

 

[tortoise]

Wood shavings are awesome mulch - the finer the better. Straight sawdust if you can get it! I put it down on my asparagus seedling garden and don't have to weed all year!

 

[NH Homesteader]

Hmm I have a friend who cuts firewood. Lots of it. We could get loads of sawdust. Never thought of asking.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I think that would be awesome. I have heard props/cons on wood chips and I've researched it a bit. But, If I can get them - I'm going to use them!

http://learningandyearning.com/wood-chips

 

[sumi]

i have a neighbor who talks to me about 'cold compost', he got me so riled up that i had to try it. but my space is much smaller than yours. i've been reading about compost tea brewers. it's pretty complicated, but i think i may try this.
has anybody had any experience with these?

We made comfrey tea, which can be used to fertilise the garden. It's very easy, just put a bunch of comfrey leaves in a bucket or some other container with water and let it break down. I can't remember how long the process is and where we lived at the time it was hotter than the gates of hell, which probably accelerated the process, but it didn't take very long. Drain off the leaves and water the plants lightly with the resulting tea when it's ready. You'll see and smell when that is.

NOTE: A word of warning. It smells like… poo. You'll see (smell) what I mean when you get there

 

[frustratedearthmother]

That's great! My intro to gardening was my grandmother. She wasn't the most warm and fuzzy woman, but when she was talking about her garden or showing me things she was totally different woman! That's a pretty good memory too.

 

[sumi]

@chefsdreams you reminded me of something from my childhood now (I started a thread on childhood memories yesterday btw, I tagged you over there) We had a compost heap in a corner of the backyard, though I don't recall my dad ever using the compost, it was just a place to dump garden waste and a wonderful place to explore and discover things like these…



I can still remember how those worms scared me!

 

[chefsdreams]

@chefsdreams you reminded me of something from my childhood now (I started a thread on childhood memories yesterday btw, I tagged you over there) We had a compost heap in a corner of the backyard, though I don't recall my dad ever using the compost, it was just a place to dump garden waste and a wonderful place to explore and discover things like these…

View attachment 2127 View attachment 2128

I can still remember how those worms scared me!

i'm on my way to visit your new thread. thanks for the tag. btw, your location shows ireland. may i ask where abouts? my darling wife likes to brag that she is 100% irish: all 8 'grands'.