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Vermont Green MTN State

Hi
I have a pile of very old "Silage" it is feed made out of chopped corn for dairy cattle. This stuff looks almost black, looks real rich and composted. Should I use some of this stuff for my new patch? Anyone know any thing about corn as it breaks down?
Doeski

2/20/2004 12:38:37 PM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

It has a very open texture which should be VERY good for growing pumpkins.I would check the pH first as it may be quite acidic and go from there.

2/20/2004 3:33:39 PM

Montoursville, PA

If it smells earthy and crumbles in your hand you should be OK but don't jump in there with more than an inch or so tilled in this spring. If it retains a sour smell and wants to smear, not crumble, better hold off and compost it for fall use.

You are right up there next door almost to North Country Organics. Get yourself a bag of low number 5-4-3 or similer low numbers organic fertilizer. Twenty five pounds to a thousand square feet is a good average rate. This will help you get over some first year unknown factors. I do this nearly every year even though I have pretty darn good soil without it.

2/20/2004 5:01:42 PM

Vermont Green MTN State

Will Do!
Thanks!

2/22/2004 4:09:39 PM

huntsburg,ohio

If its organic use it but like doc said be careful in spring to bad you couldn't of put it on in the fall.Jerry

2/22/2004 10:22:10 PM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Doeski,

I just found some info on the effect of aerobic deteriation on the pH of maize silage.
It starts out at pH 4.0 which is what prompted my initial comment but after just 7 days out of the clamp the pH rises back up to about 7.0. so there are no worries on that front.

Its amazing what you can find on the net sometimes!

2/23/2004 7:05:30 AM

Vermont Green MTN State

So since it has been there a few years the ph should be balanced? It looks like real good stuff!

2/23/2004 9:07:28 AM

Puyallup, WA

Sounds good to me! I could use a pick-up load.....but can't afford the shipping! :>)

2/23/2004 3:57:19 PM

Vermont Green MTN State

Ya, that could really get $$$$$!
Though I think we would be all willing to pay if we knew for sure it would grow the Big One!
I will keep ya all posted on how it turns out. I will put a picture of it on my diary when the snow melts! That may be a bit!
If you have farms that use silage in your area I am sure the farmers put the old leftover stuff somewhere. I don’t see why we could not add it to our compost if it turns out being good stuff!
Doeski

2/23/2004 6:07:04 PM

Hobbiton New Zealand

I dont know if I would be putting to much in in one go I have a rotten pile of maize silage which is nearly 2 years old and the weeds still dont grow on it dont know why.
I was going to put it into my patch but not untill i see the weeds are happy to grow on it.
there is about 20meters of it I may get busy and turn it all over with the tractor and put some in next spring.

2/24/2004 2:49:55 PM

Montoursville, PA

DARKEY.....SENT YOU AN E WHICH CAME BACK TO ME. Here is what I said: It can not develop the bacteria to compost without a nice mix of manures and soil which will be the base of bacterial expansion to get the job done. It will of course eventually rot on it's own but it will take a long time. Our piles of compost should be about three feet by five feet and as long as we can manage them. The pile internal temperature should go up to 140 degrees and stay there for awhile. When it starts to fall back towards 120 degrees turn the pile and the temperature should go right back up in a day or two. The books say the pile can be finished in six weeks with five turns, of the pile. My experience is that it takes me six months but I work, by hand.

....With a little playing about you can soon find out how to read the pile. Some of the best is made in the homestead backyards, of the world.

....Good book is , LET IT ROT, Stub Campbell. Bought mine second hand on line for $3.50 -$4.00 and three ship.

2/24/2004 8:25:34 PM

Hobbiton New Zealand

I might get busy tomorrow and give it a big stirr up I have have a 20 ton digger on farm at the moment clearing the drains I think I will get him to drop it next to the patch at home and mix in another pile of lawn clippings and leaves that should give it a hurry up.
Will try to find that book as well cant ever read enough about soil and plants.May even throw in a bag of that compost starter stuff at the same time cant do any harm I guess.

2/25/2004 1:07:42 AM

Montoursville, PA

Sorry to be a moment late here. I have used those starters with reserve. I think that they are not really needed if you can manage to get the pile working on it's own with regular additives and turning.

No matter how much I may have made or partly made I will hold onto the last third by volume and use this to mix into my new pile. That then is my starter. It is not unlike the famous Sour Dough bread yeast savings. They are not famous in the Western parts of the country but many if not all were carried West from the East, on one wagon at a time. Your compost becomes your mark. You mix and play with the contents as you create better and better compost.

You just can not purchase the quality compost that can be made, on your property, with your own components, from your neighborhood. Nature knows best what you need. She will give it to you for your effort and patience.

3/9/2004 10:33:15 AM