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Location

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Date Posted

New Zealand

hodwy my question is it nesacarry to add compost and manure to my patch? manure is free and i use tons of it my soil test looks good compost however is expensive and origin unknown my organic matter is 8.8 and its only my first season do i need compost?

12/11/2010 6:27:49 PM

Muddy Waters

no

12/11/2010 6:50:05 PM

Colorado Springs, CO

It depends......on varied conditions regarding your patch and soil setting there that you have not shared with us yet.

What kind of manure do you have ? There are many. Why is the origin of the compost 'unknown' ? Ask them, make a direct inquiry one step beyond that source selling the stuff to you. Better yet, start now in an earnest effort to make your own compost !....and bring together components that you know will decompose well, have specific benefits, attract earthworms, and promote microbial activity.

Start by using that manure as perhaps 1/3 of the pile volume, layered and watered-in with the other good things, include shovels of native soil from your patch now and then, and never let it dry out. Gently open up the pile with a pitchfork, let fresh air into the interior every now and then, and be patient. If you have strong winds then maybe cover that half-side of the pile that faces that direction with plywood or a piece of tarp.

Worms will find that pile if you build it upon native soil and you manage it properly. You say "it is your first season".....you will learn from some mistakes you might surely make. Keep it simple, keep it natural, and avoid the intense synthetic chemical approach to tending your gardens. The bag may say "fertilizer" on it.....but what will the microbes and worms in your patch think about it ? Promote good soil biology !

12/13/2010 10:21:17 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

I get my compost tested to make sur it has organic matter in check and no harmful metals or high salts. I use the municipal compost at our town dump. it does me wee and it gives the patch over 20 percent organic matter.

12/13/2010 12:58:57 PM

Johnston, R.I.

Compost is easy to make look into it for next season

12/16/2010 4:48:51 AM