Rejuvenate Mels Mix?

Bart 4/17/2015, 10:20 am

Hi Folks,

It's that time of the year again and I have a head scratchier. I made a fresh batch of Mels Mix last year. I also made my own compost which is ready to use. Can I simply add the new compost to last years MM? Or do I need to make a new batch of MM? If I just add it to last years mix, how much?

Thanks
Bart

landarch 4/17/2015, 11:12 am

just add the compost...you can either work a bit into each square or if the boxes have yet to be planted for the season, remove the grids and mix through the entire box.

**jamesindetroit** 4/17/2015, 11:16 am

The simplicity of MM is that you can just add fresh compost after your first year. I usually test the soil with a NPK kit just to see if their are significant deficiencies. Ultimately, I still always just add compost.

Bart 4/17/2015, 11:21 am

Thanks for the response.

How much do I add?

**donnainzone5** 4/17/2015, 11:41 am

Mel says one trowel full, but I generally add enough to level off the box.

Bart 4/17/2015, 12:12 pm

One trowel full per square foot? Or one trowel full per 4' x 4' planter box?

Thanks
Bart

**camprn** 4/17/2015, 12:19 pm

Bart wrote:One trowel full per square foot? Or one trowel full per 4' x 4' planter box?

Thanks
Bart

The book says one trowel full of compost per square, but in my years of experience, your veggies will be better off with several trowels full of compost per square. Like Donna, I make the mix level with the top of the box. I typically dump a wheelbarrow full of compost each year into the 4x4 beds.

boffer 4/17/2015, 12:35 pm

For no other reason than consistency, I add a full 1 quart yogurt container of compost per square. If I'm amending an entire 4x4 box at once, I add a 5 gallon bucket of compost.

Bart 4/17/2015, 3:40 pm

Thanks for all your responses.

I don't have nearly that much compost, so a few trowels per square will probably be it.

Bart

Bart 4/17/2015, 3:42 pm

camprn wrote:
Bart wrote:One trowel full per square foot? Or one trowel full per 4' x 4' planter box?

Thanks
Bart
The book says one trowel full of compost per square, but in my years of experience, your veggies will be better off with several trowels full of compost per square. Like Donna, I make the mix level with the top of the box. I typically dump a wheelbarrow full of compost each year into the 4x4 beds.

Which version and were in the book is this discussed?

Thanks

boffer 4/17/2015, 4:15 pm

One place is pages 142-143 in the 2006 ANSFG book.

**camprn** 4/17/2015, 4:43 pm

Bart wrote:
camprn wrote:
Bart wrote:One trowel full per square foot? Or one trowel full per 4' x 4' planter box?

Thanks
Bart
The book says one trowel full of compost per square, but in my years of experience, your veggies will be better off with several trowels full of compost per square. Like Donna, I make the mix level with the top of the box. I typically dump a wheelbarrow full of compost each year into the 4x4 beds.
Which version and were in the book is this discussed?

Thanks

what Boffer said about the citation and my experience is the plants need more than the trowelfull.

Bart 4/17/2015, 7:55 pm

I have the 2nd edition of SFG. Any idea where in there he talks about how much compost to add?

littlesapphire 4/17/2015, 8:47 pm

camprn wrote:
Bart wrote:
camprn wrote:
Bart wrote:One trowel full per square foot? Or one trowel full per 4' x 4' planter box?

Thanks
Bart
The book says one trowel full of compost per square, but in my years of experience, your veggies will be better off with several trowels full of compost per square. Like Donna, I make the mix level with the top of the box. I typically dump a wheelbarrow full of compost each year into the 4x4 beds.
Which version and were in the book is this discussed?

Thanks
what Boffer said about the citation and my experience is the plants need more than the trowelfull.

I totally agree here. I add as much compost as I can get my hands on (or make), generally adding enough to make it level with the top of my box. I think I added 2-3 five gallon buckets of compost to each of my 4x4 beds last fall.

ralitaco 4/17/2015, 10:53 pm

Bart wrote:I have the 2nd edition of SFG. Any idea where in there he talks about how much compost to add?

Page 155...Harvest and Replant

As I understand it, that is one of the benefits of Mel's Mix is that the Peat Moss and Vermiculite don't break down so all that is needed is more Compost.

FYI, I am mixing up a bunch of compost to rejuvenate my old MM. I am using commercial compost and mixing it together and then I will add it to the MM in their soon to be new boxes (Compost to Re-activate old Mels Mix)

**sanderson** 4/18/2015, 2:01 am

I add enough new compost to bring the Mix back up to the stain mark inside the box! Very Happy

I think the one trowel is meant more for immediate re-planting a square of short growing time plants. For those with one growing season and significant rain, it can add up to a wheel barrow or by the 5-gallon bucket the following spring.

vortex 4/20/2015, 12:38 pm

That's what I do with mine, too. Top it off with as much compost as it takes.

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