Cascadia to some

Buying a home with a Garden has way expanded my Kindle Library!

Due to the stroke I find it awkward to read 'real' books especially paperbacks.  So Kindle has become my library of choice.  I've discovered many on SFG and some on general gardening and related subjects.  A new one that I like is 'Growing vegetables West of the Cascades'.  It also has a number of sites selling soil amendments and a neat reference site with tons of free book & treatise downloads.  He also complicates the compost issue for those of us in Cascadia by stating that composts in our area all short of micro & macro nutrients.  Like finding five different sources isn't already complicated enough!  He does present a formula for what he calls COF (Complete Organic Fertilizer).  His section on soils is awesome.  I actually did a "compost Kansas" search this morning!    I will not expose myself to ridicule by admitting it, if I do buy some.   I think the COF will probably be sufficient.  I highly recommend this book and I think even those not in Cascadia will find it valuable.  The section on COF is very thorough with many explanations

Ret EE wrote:  He also complicates the compost issue for those of us in Cascadia by stating that composts in our area all short of micro & macro nutrients.

What does he offer as evidence of this lack of micro & macro nutrients? Does he limit the inputs to compost to create these shortages?  I have read numerous times that soils in the northwest are often deficient in calcium and phosphorus and sometimes in potassium, magnesium,
and boron, but these mineral shortages are easily corrected by adding rock dust, and possibly some epsom salt.

Hmmm... Do you think that there may be good reasons his book is in its 35th Anniversary issue?

I'll take his info before I take a buckeye's.

Keith

Ret EE wrote:I'll take his info before I take a buckeye's.

Sorry, didn't mean to post uninvited comments. Won't let it happen again.

But keep in mind that he has lived most of a long life in the Cascadia region, spent many years testing and experimenting.  Try the book, the Kindle version is inexpensive.  I think you will find it informative and valid.  He's not a flash-in-the-pan.

Keith

soilandhealth.org it may have something useful for your area.  I understand that everything on the site may be downloaded for free.  I've just begun my 'surfing'. 

Keith