Re: compost

Oh I wish you all the best--If you can stick through with it till you get to
the point of putting it back on your garden. It feels so good to produce
less waste and create living soil out of "garbage". Like magic--I feel this
way way I grow things from seed as well, truly a process of transformation.

One idea, if neighbors are too much a problem with an open pile, I've heard
of digging pit, filling with material to compost, then covering with dirt,
either to dig up later or plant over later. Anyone else on the line who can
elaborate on this (less visible) method?

Best wishes to the new composters!
             
-- 
 Laura Cooper
           


> From: Vavourakis <akvav@hol.gr>
> Reply-To: akvav@hol.gr
> Date: Wed, 04 Oct 2000 17:31:13 +0300
> To: nsterman@mindsovermatter.com
> Cc: egpeyzaj@domi.net.tr, medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
> Subject: Re: compost
> 
> Dear Nan,
> "What the neighbors will say" above all....they sure do say a lot, don't
> they?  Mine (in a village near Rethimno, Crete) have tried to  explain to
> me that trees and plants belong in the fields, not near houses where the
> roots undermine foundations and cause moisture problems in  walls.  The
> potted geranium is the rule of thumb in these parts.  I have started a
> secret compost heap in my unused water cistern, however.  Only one snake
> so far .  Let's hope for the best!
> Good composting!  Karn
> 
> Nan Sterman wrote:
> 
>>> What a marvelous subject.
>>> Here in Istanbul I make compost.  At our nursery we are
>>> successful... There are 3 large bins constructed of pallets lined
>>> with mypex (black geotextile that we use under the plants)  One is
>>> for leaves only, One for all kinds of green stuff & one resting.
>>> They are not covered, open to ground & sky.  The leaves stay loose
>>> and degenerate quietly.  The mixed compost generates loads of heat
>>> and seems to be doing well.  Later this autumn I'll be investigating
>>> the rotted one for success.
>>> However, to reflect the stories from Greece... There is a huge
>>> resistance to compost in the population at large.  People are afraid
>>> of the mess, smell, bugs, snakes, rats, and what the neighbours will
>>> say.  Gardeners refuse to cooperate, and prefer to put their rubbish
>>> in bright blue plastic bags on the street or chuck it on the
>>> hillside...
>>> Some further comments for compost in this climate:  The size is
>>> important.  Too small a pile just doesn't have enough mass to get
>>> going.  During the summer (no rain for 3 months) it has to be kept
>>> moist with grass clippings & other wet waste.  Sticks need to be cut
>>> up or chipped, & from time to time we also throw old soil (dirt)
>>> from plants in there too, which already contains some of the
>>> microbes necessary.
>>> Istanbul soil is terrible.  Mostly clay.  Compost can only be good
>>> because of the organic improvement it will make, so my feeling is
>>> that it is essential that those of us gardening in Greece & Turkey
>>> must continue to persevere - if only for the sake of the planet!
>>> Chevrel Traher
>>> Istanbul Zone 8?
>> 
>> Chevrel, I could have written the same exact message from here in
>> California!  Same issues, same climate, same soil!!!
>> 
>> Nan
>> --
>> **********
>> '''''''''''''''''''''''
>> Nan Sterman
>> San Diego County California
>> Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11
> 
>
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