Re: Composting > temps

The temps here have been mid-70s, but like you they will plummet on Thursday night to mid-20s. I'm not putting up more than a door decoration regardless. :o) 
zem
----- Original Message ----- From: "Kitty" <kmrsy@comcast.net> 
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 3:37 PM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Composting > temps
We've been dry and 55 to 60+ here and will be through Wed. Then a big drop to high of 30. I had no excuse to not put up Cmas decorations. They went up yesterday but I refuse to turn them on until sometime in December. 

Kitty
neIN, Zone 5
----- Original Message ----- From: "pdickson" <pdickson@sbcglobal.net> 
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 12:55 PM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Composting
I use lots of straw and mulch in my garden but I also put down a layer of newspapers first. I don't ever till my garden any more. I just dig a hole and put in a plant.... way easy and the soil is wonderful. Just be sure to keep it moist so that it can break down and keep it from blowing away. It has been a wonderful fall here... but on Wednesday of next week we are suppose to drop from the 70's to the 30's. It looks like winter is almost here. 
Tricia
----- Original Message ----- From: "Zemuly Sanders" <zsanders@midsouth.rr.com> 
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 9:56 AM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Composting
The people I've known to use straw as a mulch on their vegetables have simply laid it around them. I'm certainly no expert in that area. 
zem
----- Original Message ----- From: "Cathy Carpenter" <cathy.c@insightbb.com> 
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 6:50 AM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Composting



Related issue - I have decided to mulch my vegetable garden with
straw next spring?. Do I put the straw into the compost pile at
season's end, or simply dig it into the garden soil?

Cathy, west central IL, z5b

On Nov 25, 2006, at 7:02 PM, Zemuly Sanders wrote:


How great to hear from you, Marge.  On the subject of comoposting,
I know I have mentioned our MG compost project in the past, but for
anybody who wasn't here then or has forgotten... We found an
excellent way to compost by creating our enclosure out hay bales
and simply incorporating them into the mix as they break down.  We
make all the compost for the UT WTREC (Univ. of TN West TN Research
& Education Center), formerly known as the UT Experiment Station.
zem
zone 7
West TN
----- Original Message ----- From: "Marge Talt" <mtalt@clubhouse-
designs.com>
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2006 6:35 PM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Composting



From: Johnson Cyndi D Civ 95 CG/SCSRT

<cyndi.johnson@edwards.af.mil>

So how many of you have real compost piles? Are you diligent about
turning them or is it just a place to dump organic matter?

----------
I've been making compost for something like 36 years or so.  Have a
main compost area that is 2 piles...one old I use and the other being
added to plus several smaller piles around behind things to save
hauling it back to the main one and a couple major mounds in the
woods - gotta go mine those soon as I'm using my 'good' pile up fast
with potting soil and will soon run out.  Everything gets either
composted or eaten by the critters who also go through the kitchen
waste just to make sure I haven't put anything really tasty on the
heap.

I used to turn it but have not for many years.  Find it decomposes
fine in a year so the old pile works for putting on beds or making
potting soil.  Weeds sprout from it but mostly in the potting soil
mix and they're easy to pull out of the pots - my beds are so full
they don't get much chance to grow and I mulch as well.

Also have a couple three leaf piles - the resulting leaf mold is
black gold.

O'course, I also have regular rain.  You're right, Cyndi - water is
the key to compost rotting.  I've had dry years and no time to water
leaf piles and dug into them a year or so later to find wads of dry
leaves same as went into them.  Think you might give that black
plastic idea a try...good thought.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
who is waaaaay behind with email yet again....

mtalt@hort.net
Shadyside Garden Designs

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