Need a good organic composted soil

[bkind]

Badass^

 

[JackTheGrower]

can anyone suggest a compost tumbler? looking to get started composting but have had numerous neck surgeries so need it to be as easy as possible. thought this thread suitable for the question, if not, my apologies.
peace

A tumbler is for you then! If I can be of help let me know.

 

[bkind]

I like the idea that you amend/grow the medium and the soil grows the plants.

 

[JackTheGrower]

I like the idea that you amend/grow the medium and the soil grows the plants.

Wikipedia.org has quite a few entries on soil that help provide some background.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_food_web shows how some of the relationships work.

I agree with you that it's a wonderful way to grow crops we consume.

Also there are many threads here in the organic soil forum that have more information.

 

[rrog]

I agree bkind. It is a great concept to have such a natural ecosystem.

Jack, nice of you to post those links. Very informative.

Jaykush, thanks for the info on charcoal.

 

[CT Guy]

Hi CT. I found one of those calculators. A good thing for sure. I've decided to use a basic organic (unfortified) compost from local Lowes. I'll use it in my organic mix for now. I'll also start a compost pile. Looking at piles vs. tumbler.

Here's something to consider when buying a compost, but especially at a large chain store like Walmart, Lowes, or Home Depot. Even if you started with an excellent product, which I'm not convinced most of them do. To get into a chain store the main requirement is that it's cost effective and they can make money. They probably show some mineral analyses on their compost, but I doubt they have biological tests. But anyway, even assuming it's the best compost in the world, it then gets freighted to warehouses on non-temperature controlled trucks and is stored in less than ideal conditions. Many stores just leave their soils cooking outside in the hot sun and the bags aren't permeable enough to really let it breathe.

What's the organic matter content of the compost you purchased? Is there any biological testing on it?

If I only had $20 to spend on my plants, I'd spend every cent of it on my soil and then scrounge up other ingredients to provide additional nutrients, etc... Make sure you're not shooting yourself in the foot by using an inferior compost.

Hope that didn't come across harsh, just wanted to share my opinion. Wish you all the best on this one!

 

[rrog]

CT, that's great info.

What I'm doing is the OBBT system on the Organic Hydro thread. The system requires starting with 25% organic compost / soil, then I'll be adding coco, vermiculite, beneficial orgs, nutrients, etc.

So I think in this case, I'm good. I'm also starting a compost pile at the same time. I'd rather go compost, but time isn't on my side.

 

[jaykush]

if your going to buy compost in bulk most nurserys and landscaping companies sell it, and most have biological testing too. plus is SOOO much cheaper to buy by the yard than in bags.

yet still nothing beats homemade

 

[rrog]

Jay, you are always on the scene, man. And often referenced as well. Thanks for continuing to check in with me.

Just curious, I live bear the woods, but don't have suffucient sources of brown carbon materials for compost. Is there a pile of bulk something that I could buy for the carbon component? I have mountains of grass clippings for the Nitrogen component

Thank you

 

[CT Guy]

yet still nothing beats homemade

I'd take that challenge! I'm pretty happy with the biology in our composts, though we only ship direct from our place.

But in general, I'd agree with your statement.

 

[rrog]

CT where you shipping out of? Is this a business of yours? Open to the public, etc?

 

[jaykush]

i wouldn't doubt it CT, some people do it right, but sadly the majority do not care about anything but the $$$. i agree that would be a fun challenge, battle of the composts haha. maybe one day.

 

[jaykush]

Jay, you are always on the scene, man. And often referenced as well. Thanks for continuing to check in with me.

Just curious, I live bear the woods, but don't have suffucient sources of brown carbon materials for compost. Is there a pile of bulk something that I could buy for the carbon component? I have mountains of grass clippings for the Nitrogen component

Thank you

no problem, it just makes me happy when people want to take the time to do it right vs go buy everything off a shelf somewhere. the results in the long run are night and day imo.

"i live bear the woods" does that mean you live in the mountains? if so you should have some source of carbon. even though grass clippings are a great source on N. you want to be shooting for as many different plants and materials as you can. diversity is key when making great compost. its really hard for me to just give you a carbon source, everywhere has something different. heres a link with a few ideas. http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/compostfs5.pdf they mention wood shavings, if you live in the woods and have a lumber mill around, they might not care if you ask for some wood shavings or chipped wood. just remember wood needs a lot more N to break down than say hay.

remember diversity is key!

 

[rrog]

Near the woods... you'd think I was smoking or something.

Diversity is a good tenet to follow in this. Thanks for making the point.

 

[CT Guy]

Haha, too funny! We could have a "tea" and "compost" battle someday! I think Microbeman would beat me on the compost with his "special" vermicompost, but I'm not sure if he could make that stuff on a commercial level.

 

[jaykush]

Near the woods... you'd think I was smoking or something.

Diversity is a good tenet to follow in this. Thanks for making the point.

haha gotcha, you should have no problem finding sources of carbon near the woods or even in the city. think about it this way. anything from nature or in natural form can be used 90% of the time. a lot of the times i get my compost materials for free because people WANT to give it away.

Haha, too funny! We could have a "tea" and "compost" battle someday! I think Microbeman would beat me on the compost with his "special" vermicompost, but I'm not sure if he could make that stuff on a commercial level.

that would be sweet. i can whip up some pretty "special" compost too hehe. i guess it always comes down to the quality vs quantity debate.

 

[rrog]

Silly question: Dead, dry grass is considered a Carbon source while fresh cut green grass is considered a Nitrogen source, right? Dead stuff vs live stuff.

 

[Clackamas Coot]

Correct.......

 

[Clackamas Coot]

CT Guy

There is a new compost product made by the 'Marwest Compost' company out of Stayton, Oregon that is coming online.

The owner of the company went through the process of getting an OMRI certification (yeah - I know - big deal) but at any rate the compost is made from only organic products, i.e. organic produce as well as their manures used are from organic beef and organic poultry operations.

I picked up a few bags of his compost this afternoon (150 miles round trip from my place) and based on the initial testing that I and a couple of other organic farmers in the valley near Corvallis, Oregon have been using his product and the growth rate and overall health of the plants indicate that this is the 'real deal'

He's hooked up with EarthFortification.com out of Corvallis and has also worked with Dr. Ingham on setting up his compost and vermiculture operations.

They might be worth checking out with regard to the 'AACT' paradigm.

Cheers!

CC

 

[B.C.]

Silly question: Dead, dry grass is considered a Carbon source while fresh cut green grass is considered a Nitrogen source, right? Dead stuff vs live stuff.

Dead leaves from the woods floor work well for a carbon source, and if you go deep enough it would add humus also. You could always check out the local farmers for bales of straw. Lowes sometimes carry bales of straw too.

Btw, do a search for "Organics for Beginners" thread, it has LC's soil recipe. There's a lot of good general info in it as well. Jus thought I'd through it out there. Good luck! BC