HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1978-04-13, Page 32recycle garden in compost pile
Long before modern, ecologi- use) to each 10 square feet of sur-
cally-conscious man "got into" face. Then add one inch of soil
recycling natural resources, com- and enough water to.moisten but
posting was a tool of the farmer empty the bin. In the fall you may
and gardener. It's still a good way wish to extend the sides
for you to build up and maintain temporarily to boost the bin cap -
your soil for good plant growth. acity; by March the compost
Composting involves returning should settle as much as 2 feet.
dead plant matter to the soil— The sides should not be airtight or
after it has been supplemented watertight.
with commercial fertilizer and al- Build your compost pile by
lowed to decay—to help strength- spreading out a layer of plant re -
en the soil for growing new plants. fuse about 6 inches deep across
Compost material is applied the floor of your bin. Add one-half
just like any other mulch material to one pound of regular lawn fer-
but it can do a lot more. according tilizer (1-1-1 or 1-2-1 are recom-
to The Fertilizer Institute. Com- mended fertilizer ratios for this
post can add organic matter and not soak mixture. Repeat this pro -
plant nutrients to the soil as well cess as bin is tilled. Make the top
as furnish food for earthworms— of the pile concave to catch rain -
essential for aerating the soil. As a water. It you desire an alkaline
mulch, compost also reduces soil compost. add ground limestone
erosion by wind and water and can (about 1/2 to 2/3 cup) to each
help suppress weed growth. In layer as you add fertilizer. The de -
addition it helps retain essential caging action will proceed most
soil moisture. rapidly during warm weather. Ap-
Practically any plant material plication of lime and fertilizer. in
can be composted. Leaves, lawn addition to adding plant nutrients
clippings, tine twigs, old sod. to the mixture, also hastens
straw. and kitchen and garden organic matter breakdown to form
vegetable refuse are excellent. humus mixture. You can further
Avoid using diseased plants. In accelerate decay during midsum-
the fall. great quantities of leaves mer by Corking over the pile, help -
are available from neighbors for ing to evenly distribute moisture.
the asking. and aerate the pile.
Begin by selecting an out -of -the- If you begin your compost pile
way place in your garden or a in the fall it should be ready for
hidden corner of your lawn. If you use by the _end of the first summer.
have the space. two bins are You may insure a continuing com-
better than one—permitting you post supply by starting a new pile
to turn the compost by moving it each year.
from one bin to the other. Compost can be used as a
You can make the bins by at- mulch—covering bare ground
taching wire fence or boards to next to flowers and vegetables in
posts, or to adjoining fence or the garden—or as. an addition to
wall. Each bin should be 4 to 6 feet soil by .working it in with a spade
high, 3 to 5 feet wide and any or shovel.
convenient length. tailored to the Compost will not take the place
amount of compost you need. One of fertilizer. but it does aid in
side of each bin should be remov- maintaining loose. easily -worked
able to enable you to fill and soil for favorable root growth.
Houseplant need good soil
Houseplants can add beauty
and freshness to a home. To grow
well, they need to be planted in a
good soil mix.
"A soil mix for houseplants
should meet certain criteria
before you decide to use it to pot
up your plants," says Ontario
ministry of agriculture and food
horticulturist, J. K. Hughes.
First, the' soil mix should be
well drained, open and porous.
You can check this by adding
water to the top of the pot. If it
readily percolates through the
soil and out the bottom, it meets
this requirement. Air space is
necessary in the soil, not only for
the water movement, but
because the roots require oxygen.
It is also important that the soil
.,, qtr•.
mix is free of insects, weed seeds
and disease. Pasteurized soil mix
in bags can be purchased at
nurseries, flower shops or
department stores. Or you may
choose to sterilize your own soil
mix by placing it on a shallow pan
and heating it in an 82.2 degrees
C. (180 degrees F) oven for about
45 minutes.
To determine if your soil mix is
doing an adequate job for your
houseplants, gently remove the
plant and soil ball from the pot
and examine the roots. "If the
roots are healthy -looking and
white, your soil mix is probably
very good and you can return the
plant to its pot reassured that the
soil is adequate for the plant's
needs," says Mr. Hughes.
Keep birds out with mesh
A tew areas are plagued with
birds that pull up or eat vege-
table seedlings as soon as seeds
sprout or transplants are set
into the garden.
Most gardens have no need
for bird guards. However, to
some gardeners our little
feathered friends are not so
friendly. Often, brush piled
over the seedling bed will
thwart the little nippers. If not,
plastic netting is inexpensive
and effective, and can be rolled
up and saved from year to year.
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DO IT YOURSELF. By constructing two side-by-side compost bins, you
can easily turn your compost after 3 to 4 months of moderate to warm
weather.
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