Went out on a limb. Milorganite....

I went out on a limb and used Milorganite as part of my compost mixture. I struggled to find compost last year and didn't find much this year either (my compost barrels weren't draining properly -unbeknownst to me- and froze solid all winter. So I ended up with nicely ice-block-preserved veggie/fruit scraps and paper instead of compost).

I have read some good things about Milorganite, so I just figured I'd try it. I am not so concerned about the source of the Milorganite as I am about the potency. I also used Chickity Doo Doo and composted cow manure to amend last years' soil.

I just put the plants in the soil today. If I got too much nitrogen in the soil, how fast will I know it?

Last years' garden was a flop....the drought and extremely hot temps just stunted everything. On a 0-100 scale, I give last years' garden a 25 (it stayed alive for the most part, and looked pretty, but bore very little fruit). If this year isn't significantly better the garden will die with me. My caregiver really didn't want to help again this year, but she did...but if this bunch crashes and burns, it's all over. I can do about half of the limited things I could do last summer. For someone with ALS, that's a pretty 'good report'. Many are pushin' up daisies as their only gardening at this stage.

So, I'm praying that the Milorganite, CDD, cow manure mixture is not too strong. I'm also praying for good rain this summer, since watering every night about killed us last summer.

What are your words of wisdom!?

The literature says it does not burn and is a nice slow release nitrogen source So I am guessing you are ok. Besides you are mixing it into your mix, not sprinkling it on young plant tissues.

Can you lay in a wiggly way a soaker hose over your boxes and put it on a timer for watering? Or maybe a sprinkler hose, you know those ones with holes all along the length. I use these along the sides of the house snaked among my bushes. When I broke down and put in a automatic watering system I was amazed at how much better the garden did. My system is not fancy, just a couple soaker hoses and an over head sprinkler connected with Ys to the automatic water timer.

Here is a link to the one i like because it is sooooooo simple.http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=159978-53852-27729W&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3713890&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

I hope this year is a good success for you, fun and satisfying. Please keep us updated.

The timer I use is the same as the one Turan linked to. It works great. I also use a soaker hose purchased from Lowes on some parts of my garden.

Thanks for the encouraging words and for the tip on the timer! I'll have to look into the best hose set up... I have about 10 5-gallon buckets in addition to my two raised 6'x2' beds so that might make the hose situation more complicated, at least as far as the buckets are concerned.

You all are awesome!

Turan, if you have pictures of your set up, I'd love to see them!

Any pictures/videos of automatic watering systems are welcome! I think I'll start a new thread.

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t15702-pictures-videos-descriptions-of-watering-systems#162766