Re: CANADIAN REGION: What are you doing in May, 2016

**Kelejan** 5/6/2016, 1:02 pm

Mimi2 wrote:My 21 year-old-son has dropped by for a surprised visit (stay?). He says he can help me in the garden. I have to think up some heavy lifting for him to do, while he's here- and wants to be helpful. I think I'll try to put together one more SFG, and and him help me make the MM. I also may start harden off some plants this week.

Accept his offer with a smile, Mimi. I am sure you can find something that will enhance your gardening. Just hope he pulls out the "right" weeds.

**sanderson** 5/6/2016, 10:20 pm

Another box, a table top near the back door for herbs, frames for plastic covers for mini-greenhouses during the fall and spring, cold box, storage unit, compost bin . . .

StrongAsMeat 5/7/2016, 12:59 pm

CANADIAN REGION: What are you doing in May, 2016 - Page 2 Tumblr_o6tge9yAGP1ry549vo1_400

Finally the buying begins! I found Vermiculite, and happened upon worm castings (which are NOT cheap). I was all set to buy compost and PM but I had to bring my kid home for a play date, and now I have to wait to go back for more.

**Kelejan** 5/7/2016, 2:53 pm

Sam: don't forget that with worm castings you only need 20% compared to 100 compost. Otherwise it is a waste of worm castings. Enjoy your buying.

This morning I attended our local garden club's "Harbinger of Spring" plant sale. I mostly bough perennial flowers. I have been promised tomato and peppers transplant in a bit when the time is right.

There is a church plant sale on as well, but as I have to catch bus it is not worth while me going.

Weather is ioce here with just a bit too much wind for my liking, but even so, weeding is something that can be done. I try to do at least half an hour's wedding a day to keep on top of that job, as every year I get overwhelmed.

StrongAsMeat 5/7/2016, 3:00 pm

Kelejan wrote:Sam: don't forget that with worm castings you only need 20% compared to 100 compost. Otherwise it is a waste of worm castings. Enjoy your buying.

I'm not following you Kelejan, can you explain?

**Kelejan** 5/7/2016, 3:06 pm

StrongAsMeat wrote:
Kelejan wrote:Sam: don't forget that with worm castings you only need 20% compared to 100 compost. Otherwise it is a waste of worm castings. Enjoy your buying.

I'm not following you Kelejan, can you explain?

Let's see now!

If you were planting a transplant into the bed, you would not plant in 100% worm castings as it would not flourish. 20% worms castings is much the best ratio.

It would be like feeding a baby nothing but steak.

Note: If I have it wrong, experts, please correct me, I will only blush, but I will not be hurt.

StrongAsMeat 5/7/2016, 3:11 pm

Lol, You're too quick. I perused the forum and I think I get it. If I'm planning on 170-180 liters of compost, 5-6 bags, no more than one bag should be worm castings, right? I hope so because at $23 a bag I wasn't buying more. I'll stick to the $4 a bag compost. I still intend to get as many varieties as I can find.

Thanks Kelajan

**sanderson** 5/7/2016, 4:47 pm

Worm castings are expensive but very rich. 5-10% of the mixed composts should be good for a start. If you get worms in your beds, they'll make castings on site! If the beds are on the ground, even with weed fabric on the bottom, they will eventually wiggle their way into the beds.

What say others?

StrongAsMeat 5/8/2016, 12:11 pm

Well I finished my shopping. Got a 4cf bag of Peat, and some compost: Sheep, cattle, shrimp and Sea (seaweed/shrimp), plus my worm poop. I'd like to find mushroom or chicken, but 2 of the stores I went to were closed. Seriously, what kind of garden center closes on a Sunday? Almost ready to go, just need to fill my hole.

Side note: I saw a bag that said Coconut compost, does that count a compost?

p14shooter 5/8/2016, 12:25 pm

StrongAsMeat wrote:Lol, You're too quick. I perused the forum and I think I get it. If I'm planning on 170-180 liters of compost, 5-6 bags, no more than one bag should be worm castings, right? I hope so because at $23 a bag I wasn't buying more. I'll stick to the $4 a bag compost. I still intend to get as many varieties as I can find.

Thanks Kelajan

how big a bag of worm castings was that? Everything I bought was about 15L bags between 3 and 9 dollars. castings being 9, mushroom less than that, and the regular manure 3-5. I did not know that about using less castings though. Good thing I have only used a little of it so far.

StrongAsMeat 5/8/2016, 12:43 pm

It's a 20 litre bag, it says 100% pure castings. I haven't seen it anywhere else so I bought it. The regular compost was $3 for 30l, and the sea and shrimp were $6 for 30l.

**sanderson** 5/8/2016, 2:09 pm

Great job on getting the ingredients. I haven't heard of coconut compost. Coconut Coir, yes, but not compost. Coir is sometimes used in lieu of peat moss. Many countries do not have access to reasonably priced peat moss.

**Kelejan** 5/8/2016, 2:37 pm

StrongAsMeat wrote:It's a 20 litre bag, it says 100% pure castings. I haven't seen it anywhere else so I bought it. The regular compost was $3 for 30l, and the sea and shrimp were $6 for 30l.

Nine dollars for a 20 litre bag of worm castings? I don't buy castings myself nor have I sold any as I use all of mine or give some as gifts. It seems good value to me.
What do others think? What have you paid for in the past?

StrongAsMeat 5/8/2016, 4:11 pm

Kelejan wrote:
StrongAsMeat wrote:It's a 20 litre bag, it says 100% pure castings. I haven't seen it anywhere else so I bought it. The regular compost was $3 for 30l, and the sea and shrimp were $6 for 30l.

Nine dollars for a 20 litre bag of worm castings?

No I paid $23 for my 20l bag, p14shooter paid $9. I guess it depends where you live... I hope it works as well as everyone says. Smile

**trolleydriver** 5/8/2016, 4:15 pm

StrongAsMeat wrote:
Kelejan wrote:
StrongAsMeat wrote:It's a 20 litre bag, it says 100% pure castings. I haven't seen it anywhere else so I bought it. The regular compost was $3 for 30l, and the sea and shrimp were $6 for 30l.

Nine dollars for a 20 litre bag of worm castings?

No I paid $23 for my 20l bag, p14shooter paid $9. I guess it depends where you live... I hope it works as well as everyone says.

I saw some here in Ottawa and it was $27 a bag. No thanks I said. I did get something that was a "compost with worm castings" in it at a good price. But I somehow doubt that the worm castings are a significant portion of the contents.

**trolleydriver** 5/8/2016, 9:00 pm

Testing weather sticker in Signature.

**sanderson** 5/9/2016, 5:51 am

TD, -1*C is cold!

Check your local Craig's List for local worm castings/compost.

Mimi2 5/9/2016, 8:35 am

Kelejan wrote:
Mimi2 wrote:My 21 year-old-son has dropped by for a surprised visit (stay?). He says he can help me in the garden. I have to think up some heavy lifting for him to do, while he's here- and wants to be helpful. I think I'll try to put together one more SFG, and and him help me make the MM. I also may start harden off some plants this week.

Accept his offer with a smile, Mimi. I am sure you can find something that will enhance your gardening. Just hope he pulls out the "right" weeds.

Yes- I did smile- and he was a great help on Sunday. He helped me load up the car with heavy bags of compost etc, and put them where they needed to go. Yay! Then we went for a bit of a bike ride, and he treated my daughter and I to Pho for lunch Smile

I finally got some seeds (beans, peas, carrots, sun flowers, onion bulbs, etc) planted too. I'll need to bring the mini-green house outside tonight though (to harden off many of the plants). Also we are very excited to see some worms wriggling in the SFG Wink

**trolleydriver** 5/9/2016, 8:45 am

1. Well done on getting help from a willing worker.

2. Concerning worms ... I have never found a worm in my SFG. However, this SPring when I find a worm elsewhere in the garden I deposit it in the SFG.

**trolleydriver** 5/9/2016, 9:03 am

sanderson wrote:TD, -1*C is cold!

Check your local Craig's List for local worm castings/compost.

-1C ... not cold ... just refreshing!!!

I checked Craigslist ... found one entry ... someone selling a small bag of worms for $20 and a jar of compost tea for $7

Also checked Kijiji ... found a couple of entries for people selling worms and castings but no prices listed on castings ... so I sent an email requesting prices for worm castings

**trolleydriver** 5/9/2016, 12:47 pm

And for tonight:

11:27 AM EDT Monday 09 May 2016
Frost Advisory in effect for:

Ottawa North - Kanata - Orléans
Ottawa South - Richmond - Metcalfe

Frost may destroy fruit crops, vegetables, and other plants.

Temperatures will drop to near or a little below the zero degree mark again tonight under clear skies and light winds. Frost is quite likely in many localities.

Tender plants should be protected or brought indoors if possible.
Cover up plants, especially those in frost-prone areas.

Mimi2 5/9/2016, 4:34 pm

trolleydriver wrote:And for tonight:

11:27 AM EDT Monday 09 May 2016
Frost Advisory in effect for:

Ottawa North - Kanata - Orléans

Ottawa South - Richmond - Metcalfe

Frost may destroy fruit crops, vegetables, and other plants.

Temperatures will drop to near or a little below the zero degree mark again tonight under clear skies and light winds. Frost is quite likely in many localities.

Tender plants should be protected or brought indoors if possible.
Cover up plants, especially those in frost-prone areas.

Oh man, I just uncovered all of my crops. Here we go again!

StrongAsMeat 5/9/2016, 6:18 pm

We're supposed to get frost on Sunday, glad I haven't planted anything yet.

**Scorpio Rising** 5/9/2016, 8:36 pm

Same for us in the Great Lakes...cold, frost next couple nights and even into this weekend? So...hang on, summer/spring is coming! sunny

**Kelejan** 5/9/2016, 11:53 pm

StrongAsMeat wrote:
Kelejan wrote:
StrongAsMeat wrote:It's a 20 litre bag, it says 100% pure castings. I haven't seen it anywhere else so I bought it. The regular compost was $3 for 30l, and the sea and shrimp were $6 for 30l.

Nine dollars for a 20 litre bag of worm castings?

No I paid $23 for my 20l bag, p14shooter paid $9. I guess it depends where you live... I hope it works as well as everyone says.

OOPS! Got mixed up there, SAM. Re-read it so now I have it right. P14 got the $9 bag. Embarassed

I must pay more attention.

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