The following is by Linn County Master Gardener, Claire Smith:
Busy morning today. A friend came out to “scoop poop”. Actually, he used the skid loader. He took a pickup load of horse manure. He’s spreading that Black Gold on his garden in preparation for next spring’s vegetable garden!
How do you know if your soil needs enhancement? For a small fee, you can always obtain a soil testing kit from the Linn County Extension office. And, check for earthworms. In any hole of one cubic foot, you should see at least five earthworms. Earthworms aerate the soil and add considerable fertility to the earth with their castings (waste). If you don’t have worms now, add organic material as a remedy.
Considered composting. Composting is basically decomposed material. It is the controlled biological and chemical decomposition of organic material. Composted material resembles black fluffy soil. Added to soil, compost improves drainage, increases aeration, and aids water retention and nutrients all of which create better root development resulting in healthier plants.
By amending the soil, composting reduces the need to use chemical fertilizers. Homemade compost is economical to make. Compost provides a slow release of nutrients over an extended period. Compost can be mixed into the top 6-8 inches of garden soil or spread in a one inch layer around perennials.
Instead of raking all of the leaves from your yard into the street, deposit them in a pile—or bin—in an obscure area of your yard. Mix in non-diseased stems and cuttings from your flower and vegetable garden. Add shredded or torn newspaper (do not use the colored sheets, however). Coffee grounds, potato peelings and egg shells can be used as well as leftover fruits and vegetables. Grass clippings and yard trimmings will decompose. Do not use cat litter. Lard, grease, oil, meat or fish bones may attract unwanted scavengers. Add water and stir. How much compost do you need? Incorporating two inches of compost into a 200 sq. ft. garden will require 33.33 cu. ft., or 1.2 cu. yds. or 41.66 bushels or 83.33 five gallon buckets.
For an explanation of creating a compost bin, call the Linn County Master Gardeners at the Horticulture Hotline at 319-447-0647.
Homegrown 