Re: 4-H garden update
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: 4-H garden update
- From: C* <C*@aol.com>
- Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 22:58:57 EDT
Terri:
I live in central Florida, where everything grows year 'round. We have a huge
county recycling/waste disposal/landfill/yard waste center that is like a city
unto itself. It is there that yard waste (plant trimmings, grass clippings,
etc.) is collected from residential trash pick-up and by resident drop-offs
and is processed into compost over a period of about 6 months.
Here is a gross, oversimplication of the process. The clippings are dumped in
a large pile, plastic bags and all. This pile is then bull-dozed into a huge
heap. When the heap gets big enough, they push it into long rows, about 5 or 6
ft high and 300 yards long. They pass a machine called a SCARAB over the top
of these rows, turning the material as it cooks in the sun and reduces down.
After several passes over the rows, the plant material breaks down and the
rows look more and more like black soil than green grass clippings.
After 6 months or so, the rows are pushed together and scooped by front end
loader into a machine that sifts and removes any plastic that remains. The
machine tumbles and aerates the compost, spitting it out the other side into a
large dump truck or a pile. It is now ready for consumer use. The finished
product is black, rich and earthy smelling, like a freshly dug hole. It is
still active, as I found out by putting some in a clear plastic fast food
sandwich clamshell and allowing it to sit undisturbed for several hours. The
container formed condensation and was warmer than room temp to the touch.
Nothing is added. The entire process is organic. The end product is not
sterile, but certainly is free of excrement, solid waste or sewage. The local
ag officers have routine tests performed on this compost frequently and grow
vegetables in it alone. The results are fantastic.
As tough as NY laws are, I would bet that Binghamton has a similar facility
with a compost program. It's worth a call to find out. Our municipal compost
is free here in FL. I have a trailer large enough to take two 5 yard front end
loader scoopsful at a time.
Another avenue might be to contact the local farmers to see if they have a
pile of manure from last year they need hauled away. Well-rotted manure is the
best, especially if it's free. Horse farms or boarding facilities are good
places to check, too.
As far as seeds go, many growers on this list make their seeds available to
growers earlier in the year. I'm certain that if you put the word out, you
will soon have good seeds in hand. Most growers ask that you send a bubble
envelope and a buck or so for postage. A great deal.
I have seed from smaller Big Max pumpkins that I can share, but I think you
are looking for Atlantic Giant seed with proven genetics. I'm sure someone
will respond to you.
Good Luck!
Barb
Orlando, FL
SPGA and 4-H Project Leader
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