Re: Using compost

Thanks all!  This is interesting and helpful.

My intent is actually purely from a concern over soil composition.  Although
I have (esp the last 3 years) amended every plant hole I've dug, right below
it is almost invariably pretty clayish dirt.

Also, I have a question concerning amending while planting a new plant in
existing gardens that have always been created piecemeal (plant by plant; I
have newish shade gardens planted within preexisting mature trees and
shrubs).  It seems fairly accepted that, when planting a tree or shrub, you
only dig deep and wide enough to accommodate the existing roots; and that
few if any amendments are used.  But what about, for example, digging in a
new hosta? Lately I've been digging ~3" deeper than the roots, mixing
amendments in with that bottom 3" while making certain to create rough jabs
in the dirt that won't get amended (breaking the "clay bowl"); and making
the hole about twice as wide and using mostly amendments to fill in around
the plant.  Should I make these holes as big and wide as I have time to
plant?? Go to the trouble of mixing the old filler dirt with the amendments
when completing the job, or?

Thanks again!
Diann



-----Original Message-----
From: PRIMROSES [s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU]On Behalf Of
GeneBush
Sent: Friday, October 13, 2000 6:44 AM
To: shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
Subject: Re: [SG] 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
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