My compost mix. How did I do?

timrichards9585 3/24/2012, 6:16 pm

It took me almost 2 whole days and every garden center in town to find everything. (and a great nearly unknown place outside of town.) I finally have it all though. 104 cu ft of the following...

Peat Moss
Vermiculite
Mushroom Compost
Humus & Manure
Cow Manure
Worm Castings
Leaf and grass compost

This summer I am also starting my own worm casting, and a compost pile.

How did I do?

My compost mix. How did I do? DSCN6541

**camprn** 3/24/2012, 6:25 pm

So far so good! Where's the garden box? Wink

Welcome to the SFG Forum My compost mix. How did I do? 61949

morganfam7 3/24/2012, 6:47 pm

You mix those all together (on a tarp) and put it in your box. You don't have to compost it. You are ready to go - no waiting! Looks like you did an awesome job! My compost mix. How did I do? 3170584802

My compost mix. How did I do? 3170584802

timrichards9585 3/24/2012, 10:46 pm

Thanks. I'm building my raised beds from some old bricks I got from a friend. It's just about finished. I'll post pics when it's all put together. I'll be adding an extra 6 raised beds the end of April.
The barely known nursery and greenhouse I found outside of town is working on their own version of mels mix, and I may use that for those beds. (I need to go back and ask more about their ingredients.)
Otherwise, at least I know what stores have what products now.

I have a couple small pop up greenhouse racks that I'll be growing herbs, and maybe my lettuce in.
and I have about a foot and a half of wasted space between my house and sidewalk on my southern garage wall that gets a lot of sun, I'm going to see how 4 blueberry bushes do over there.

shannon1 3/25/2012, 2:08 am

Great start but if the Humus & Manure is in the same bag your mix could turn out "peaty" as humus works like peat not compost. Lots of composts contain humus so one must be careful. If I were you I would return it if you can. If not use less peat.

timrichards9585 3/25/2012, 11:30 am

I had the same concern about the "Scotts Humus & Manure" so I was planning on using a little less peat moss with my mix, and using a little extra for my blueberries.
I also found a farmer who has a two year old pile of sheep compost, I'll be picking some up this week before I start mixing it all together.

quiltbea 3/25/2012, 11:35 am

Well, it sounds like you're on your way to a great garden. Lets have pictures when you get started. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

erbarnett 3/25/2012, 4:18 pm

Add some composted chicken manure to the mix next year. My SFG took off when I added it to my mixture, which I keep in a plastic trash can on the patio. It is supposed to have the most NP and K than any other type of store bought compost.

timrichards9585 3/30/2012, 5:14 pm

Just picked up my composted sheep manure today. Time to start mixing it all together. Smile

CarolinaGirl 3/30/2012, 10:15 pm

erbarnett wrote:Add some composted chicken manure to the mix next year. My SFG took off when I added it to my mixture, which I keep in a plastic trash can on the patio. It is supposed to have the most NP and K than any other type of store bought compost.

I noticed today that Lowe's had Black Hen compost, I assume from the same company that makes Black Kow. I've got another bed that I need to fill and now I'm thinking I should go get a bag of that too.... maybe I can put a light layer on the top of the other bed I've already put down and planted in.

UnderTheBlackWalnut 3/30/2012, 10:18 pm

CarolinaGirl - I say go for it! I believe it is the same company and most forum members like Black Kow. If you don't already have a chicken compost source, I'd definitely do it! The more sources the better!

CarolinaGirl 3/30/2012, 11:24 pm

UnderTheBlackWalnut wrote:CarolinaGirl - I say go for it! I believe it is the same company and most forum members like Black Kow. If you don't already have a chicken compost source, I'd definitely do it! The more sources the better!

Guess I will stop and get a bag tomorrow on my way home from the barn before I make up that bed tomorrow!

plantoid 3/30/2012, 11:37 pm

shannon1 wrote: Great start but if the Humus & Manure is in the same bag your mix could turn out "peaty" as humus works like peat not compost. Lots of composts contain humus so one must be careful. If I were you I would return it if you can. If not use less peat.

Shannon in your post ... The words humus & manure are a wee bit confusing.

Manure decays and produces humus . Under a decent magnification humus looks like little beads of moisture on the decaying plant fibres

Plants take the liquid / damp nutrients in from the humus via their hair roots.

Given the above I strongly suspect it's a decent compost in the bag.

**walshevak** 3/31/2012, 8:51 am

CarolinaGirl wrote:
erbarnett wrote:Add some composted chicken manure to the mix next year. My SFG took off when I added it to my mixture, which I keep in a plastic trash can on the patio. It is supposed to have the most NP and K than any other type of store bought compost.

I noticed today that Lowe's had Black Hen compost, I assume from the same company that makes Black Kow. I've got another bed that I need to fill and now I'm thinking I should go get a bag of that too.... maybe I can put a light layer on the top of the other bed I've already put down and planted in.

I swear by my mix of black kow, black hen, black kow brand mushroom and 2 iffy ones from Lowes and Home Depot. Got great results last year. I firmly believe the black hen made up for the iffy.

Kay

kbb964 3/31/2012, 8:59 am

I am going to Ace Hardware today to buy some Black Hen!

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