The Witch's Garden & The Green Path

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Comment by Linda on October 1, 2009 at 10:32pm

Catt,

Yes, composting manure breaks it down so that it's more useable. When you consider that food passes through a horse's stomach in which there are acids that will digest the plants that the horse eats, the acids that come out with the manure need to be weakened before it's safe to use. Composting seems to do this.

You're welcome. I'm glad to have been of help.

Comment by Catt on October 1, 2009 at 6:32pm

I bet they have piles of aged manure somewhere. I'll ask. As soon as the garden is done I'll go get a load or two and add it to my garden. It makes sense about the bird manure. I have been pooped on by a bird and it was HOT. Thank you for the help. Now I can't wait for next Spring. BB
Ramona, I think manure just has to be aged before it can be used. I'm not sure what causes the change but it's probably on the molecular level and can't be rushed.

Comment by Ramona Newman on October 1, 2009 at 5:38pm

could she cut the manure with poorer dirt to use it sooner or is there something that actually has to be rained or evaporate out of it before it is suitable for use?

Comment by Linda on October 1, 2009 at 2:42pm

Catt,

If horse manure is allowed to compost for a year, it should be more than safe to use. The people with the horse ranch might have an old pile you could use. Or, perhaps you could get some soil from where the horses commonly walk around for that will be permeated with manure.

By the way, don't use chicken or turkey manure, for there is too much phosphorus in it which will burn the roots of your plants, not to mention that it smells horrendous and will drive you and your neighbors to distraction.

Comment by Mandy on October 1, 2009 at 11:23am

Well Merry Meet everyone I am new here! I am very Earth conscious Everyone who knows me knows I am the one who will kick them out of the car to go pick up the garbage they threw out the window even if I'm on the highway lol.. looks very nice in here :)

Comment by Catt on October 1, 2009 at 2:37am

What a great idea! Raised beds, doh, why didn't I think of that. And putting all the compost from this year in one and planting in it next year is genius. It's so simple and easy. Much easier than digging out six or eight inches of clay. I have friends who have a horse ranch, do you suppose that would do the trick? How long does horse manure need to age to keep it from burning the baby plants? Thank you for the raised bed suggestion Linda, I can't believe I didn't think of it. LOL

Comment by Linda on September 29, 2009 at 1:48pm

To Catt--
You could make raised beds on top of the clay, using 2 by 4's as the edging to hold them in place, and fill them with compost, manure and some good soil. I know someone who creates raised beds by making a series of beds--filling one with compost for a year, then the next year planting that one while filling another one with compost and so on. This way her garden expands and is automatically composted without any further work.

Or, you could dig out the clay at least six inches deep, and replace it with good soil, compost and manure. This would be a lot of work, but you would have a better garden.

As for underground crops, since they won't grow in the clay, you could make heaps of good soil at least a foot and a half high to grow them in. And do the same thing with your melons.

As for getting good soil or loam, you could ask around to find out where you could get some for a reasonable price. Check with a local farmer for manure.

Since we're Pagans here, let me suggest that you speak to the Earth Goddess and ask her to help you in your quest to have a better garden. Visualize your garden as filled with bounty and you enjoying the harvest. The trick is to "see" things as already grown, not growing.

Gardening takes time, but if you persist, you will have a wonderful garden.

Comment by Catt on September 29, 2009 at 12:25pm

Welcome to all the new members. I have the sort of the same question about clay Boyd. I just recently moved to Northern California where there is a lot of red clay. I put in a garden this year and the tomatoes, pepper and herbs did ok but none of the underground crops or mellons produced. I have a compost pile going that I will add to the garden next year. Any ideas of what else I can add to break up this thick, sticky soil. I know some folks who raise horses. Would adding some of their manure be good. I wish I knew someone who has rabbits, that stuff is magic in the garden.

Comment by Ravensky423 on September 29, 2009 at 9:47am

Welcome New Members...Feel Free to join in...add comments...start a discussion or post to one in progress...add songs to the playlist

Comment by Mama Fortuna on September 26, 2009 at 10:08am

Hey, does anyone here know anything about lawn chamomile? I've checked it out online, and it looks like it withstands frost, and can also grow in the desert.

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