Re: 4-H garden update

COMPUTRESE wrote:
> 
> 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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Thankyou so much for taking the time to reply.  I will certainly check
out the Binghamton program for compost.  I asked was it sterile because
it seems that AG's are suceptible to bacterias and fungi.  Last year I
brought in soil and was pleased that I hardly had any weeds and my plant
did not get any disease... ofcourse there are many reasons why this may
have been the case.  

Good luck growing..  I will keep in touch.

Teri from
NY southern tier
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