Total Newbie & Feeling Really Overwhelmed-HELP!

So we've built our boxes & I've been searching for appropriate compost to buy (I have never composted & need to use purchased compost to start off since I have none!). It has been frustrating & discouraging. So far I've found worm castings & some mushroom compost. I've been looking on craigslist for other compost sources. My confusion right now is this... a lot of posts list things as, "alpaca manure/compost," for example. But manure & compost aren't the same thing, right??

Here's one option I'm looking at: The guy said, "I have several bags of manure from my chickens and goats that makes great bedding, fertilizer, compost, soil conditioner, etc. It is mixed with small amounts of dirt and hay which makes it easier to handle and NO smell! Aged since last fall and ready to apply. Manure type is segregated so you can get what you want just goat or just chicken."

Would this work as part of Mel's Mix or not?? I'm about to pull my hair out with frustration & confusion. I saw another post about alpaca manure that said go ahead & use that (even if it's not composted?). I just make sure I want to get this right!

Thanks!

Yes, those would be considered types of compost. Do a search on the forum about it, there are many threads with some great info.

Don't be too discouraged, the first year is the hardest. take your time and don't beat your self up or get stressed out. DO educate yourself, do collect what you can when you can. DO make sure you have at least 5 different types of compost, besides the ones you already have that you could consider are fresh bunny or alpaca or llama poo. Composted horse stable or dairy parlor muck. Composted chicken manure or fish leavings. You still have a little time to get your growing season started off right.

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t12041-from-a-year-2-novice-to-all-the-new-sfgers-or-how-to-get-past-the-fear-factor#118167

Have you filled your boxes? I'm thinking that your haven't. Try your local Lowes for pre-mixed Mel's Mix, Square Foot Gardening. I stumble across it yesterday! The cost of Mel's Mix verses buying 7 products (Vermiculite, peat moss, and 5 organic sources of compost) should be reasonable. Plus you can fill the boxes immediately. That will buy you time to locate more sources of compost as you will have to continue adding blended compost between crops.

Yesterday I bought composted chicken manure at Lowe's. Last night I bought kelp and worm castings on eBay. I'm going to check out Starbux for used coffee grinds and Country Kitchen for egg shells.

Camp RN, am I on the right tract? Thanks

Thank you so much for your replies! I really appreciate it! It's good to know I'm on the right track. I was just getting SO bogged down in whether or not manure that may or may not be fully composted should be used in Mel's Mix.

I did look for Mel's Mix & found it on Home Depot's website. They don't have it in stores near me so I would have to buy it online. And shipping was $100 so I didn't really want to have to do that.

I'm feeling better now. Now on to figuring out how to compost for myself for the future!

Thanks!

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t14999-mel-s-mix-at-home-depot?highlight=mels+mix+home+depot+special+price

Kay

walshevak wrote:https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t14999-mel-s-mix-at-home-depot?highlight=mels+mix+home+depot+special+price

Kay

I see shipping for SoCal comes at $10/bag. A touch cost prohibitive.