Re: Using compost
Hello Diann,
I am a "me-to" with Gail. I believe shade gardens do not need a whole lot of
nitrogen... they don't get it in nature. Only forces the plants and causes more
problems than it solves. My fertilizer consists of chopped leaves each fall.
I pick them up from the lawn and spread about 3 or 4 inches thick over the
garden. I do any clean-up as I go through each section mulching. As the mulch
breaks down it provides all the nutrients the plants need.
When preparing the soil or building beds, it is a different story. That is
where compost comes in... I either dig in or build up all the compost and rotting
matter I can get my hands on... I don't intent to go back and play with the soil
again. Get that "plenty of compost for loose, moist, humus" built in. Hopefully my
plants are perennial and will perform. Don't want to have to go back and mess with
them later. So.. my work goes in up front in preparation.
Takes a bit of patience to do it this way... I have plants all over the place
that are in "holding" waiting to go into the garden. I was to have constructed 2
new raised beds this summer....sigh. But still have not.
Gene Bush Southern Indiana Zone 6a Munchkin Nursery
around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Gail Korn <gkorn@BLOOMNET.COM>
Subject: Re: [SG] Using compost
> Diann, I don't make compost, but I do mulch with chopped leaves. This is
> sometimes called sheet composting. Those leaves rot. Compost is not hot
> in a 3-4" layer, so it doesn't matter how thick you apply it. I don't
> worry about mixing it in the soil. The earthworms will do that. When I do
> dig something, then it gets mixed in. I just don't worry about it. The
> health of the plants speaks volumes about its benefits. I use no other
> fertilizer. I don't think it matters when you spread it. Finished compost
> is not "hot" and it isn't strong. Spread it whenever you feel like it.
>
> Gail Korn
> Garden Perennials
> Wayne, Nebr. Z4
>
> At 09:41 PM 10/12/00 -0500, you wrote:
> >I'm curious what you long-time experts know about spreading finished compost
> >on your perennial gardens. Here are some of my questions:
> >
> >Do you spread it on in Spring only? (i.e., when there are no plants above
> >ground)
> >Can you spread it on by itself without mixing with other amendments?
> >How deep would you spread it--by itself, with other amendments?
> >
> >Everything I'm reading about it implies you have to dig or rototill it in.
> >I don't understand now you could do that in an ongoing garden.
> >
> >Thanks for your help--I'm sure you all have very interesting things to say!
> >
> >Diann
