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RE: Looking for advice to improve our garden soil!

in #homesteading6 years ago

First, you must make a compost pile. Simple to do
4 stakes (preferably metal)
A roll of wire screening (2x3 holes) or practically anything will work, chicken wire, chain-link fencing, I've even used lathe.
Wrap the screen around the 4 posts (after you pound them in the ground) and affix with zip ties.
Fill with leaves, lawn clippings, left over or rotting veggies, tea bags, dryer lint, paper, egg shells, anything except meat or dairy (they attract flies hence maggots), fish is ok but bury it, shrimp shells, saw dust and a very important ingredient WOOD ASH! Wood ash will provide your veggies with essential minerals your body needs. Then water.
Before you know it you've got awesome dirt and healthy earthworms. You will get some grubs too (Japanese Beatle larva) but the don't hurt anything.
Word of caution. Do not place too close to a building. While decomposing, materials in the compost get hot. It's a good idea to squirt it down with water on really hot days so it does not combust. Plus the water will speed up the process.
This is the most cost effective soil booster next too manure (if you have the animals).
I suggest to anyone who has a garden, throw your wood ash in the garden instead of the trash for those added minerals no longer in the soil.

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That's a great tip about the wood ash, We burn wood here and I've never though of putting it in the garden. I'll definitely be starting that. We do, do some worm composting in the house.

I left out coffee grounds too. I wish I could get some wood ash.
We have non burn days here due to the iron fist which runs our state. I do have a log grate and may just burn some in the driveway.
You know about soaking your seeds in hydrogen peroxide and water before planting right?

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