HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1979-04-26, Page 46Recycle garden in compost pile
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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.
Long before modern, ecologi-
cally -conscious man "got into"
recycling natural resources, com-
posting was a tool of the farmer
and gardener. It's still a good way
for you to build up and maintain
your soil for good plant growth.
Composting involves returning
dead plant matier to the soil—
after it has been supplemented
with commercial fertilizer and al-
lowed to decay—to help strength-
en the soil for growing new plants.
Compost material is applied
just like any other mulch material
but it can do a lot more, according
to The Fertilizer Institute. Com-
post can add organic matter and
plant nutrients to the soil as well
as furnish trod for earthworms—
essential for aerating the soil. As a
mulch, compost also reduces soil
erosion by wind and water and can
help suppress weed growth. In
addition it helps retain essential
soil moisture
Practically any plant material
can be composted. Leavy&, lawn
clippings, tine twigs, old sod
straw, and kitchen and garder
vegetable refuse are excellent.
Avoid using diseased plants. In
the fall, great quantities of leaves
are available from neighbors for
the asking.
Begin by selecting an out-of-the-
way place in your garden or a
hidden corner of your lawn. If you
have the space, two bins are
better than one—permitting you
to turn the compost by moving it
from one bin to the other.
You can make the bins by at-
taching wire fence or boards to
posts, or to adjoining fence or
wall. Each bin should he 4 to 6 feet
high, 3 to 5 feet wide and any
convenient length, .tailored to the
amount of compost you need. One
side of each bin should he remov-
able to enable you to fill and
use) to each 10 square feet of sur-
face. Then add one inch of soil
and enough water to moisten but
empty the bin. In the fall you may
wish to extend the sides
temporarily to boost the bin cap-
acity; by March the compost
should settle as much as 2 feet.
The sides should not be airtight or
watertight.
Build your compost pile by
spreading out a layer of plant re-
fuse about 6 inches deep across
the floor of your bin. Add one-half
to one pound of regular lawn fer-
tilizer (1-1-1 or 1-2-1 are recom-
mended fertilizer ratios for this
not soak mixture, Repeat this pro-
cess as bin is tilled. Make the top
of the pile concave to catch rain-
water. 11you desire an alkaline
compost. add ground limestone
(about 1 2 to 2/3 cup) to each
layer as you add fertilizer. The de -
caving action will proceed most
rapidly during warm weather. Ap-
plication of lime and fertilizer, in
addition 0) adding plant nutrients
to the mixture, also hastens
organic matter breakdown to torm
humus mixture. You can further
accelerate decay during midsum-
mer by torking over the pile. help-
ing to evenly distrihtfte moisture,
and aerate the pile.
If you begin your compost pile
in the tall it should he ready for
use by the end of the first summer.
You may insure a continuing com-
post supply by starting a new pile
Seedlings need T.L.C.
Organization and careful
preparation before transplanting
seedlings can help ensure a
healthy garden, says T. J. Blom,
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
and Food horticulturist.
"First, remove stones and
debris from the garden. Next,
loosen the soil and poke holes for
the transplants."
Adding pre -wetted peat moss to
the holes before transplanting
will give the plants a good start.
Mr. Blom says it is best to
transplant seedlings at night.
Water seedlings several hours
before transplanting.
When ready to transplant,
gently tap the sides of the pot to
remove the plant.
"Keep the roots and soil
together as much as possible,
then put the roots in the new hole
and pat the soil around them."
After transplanting, Mr. Blom
recommends watering as needed
and fertilizing after two or three
days.
"One-half to one pound of
regular fertilizer per 100 square
feet of garden space should be
adequate."
Provide cucumbers, squash,
tomatoes, and melons with up to
four square feet of space. Cab-
bage, peppers, broccoli, and
brussels sprouts require Tess
space.
each year.
Compost _can be used as a
mulch—covering bare ground
next to flowers and vegetables in
the garden—or as 'In addition to
soil by working it in with a spade
or shovel.
Compost will not take the place
of fertilizer. but it does aid in
maintaining loose, easily -worked
soil for favorable root growth.
Page 17
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PICK-UP AND DELIVERY CAN BE ARRANGED
NEW EQUIPMENT IN STOCK
Canadian made Grand Prix
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Roper 8 h.p. - Electric Start
LAWN TRACTORS
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1973 CT -70 HONDA
1974 175 HONDA
We service what we sell
°250.
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1 mile north of Londesboro 523-9202
HIGHWAY NO. 4
•
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SWIMMING
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Saturday May 5, 1979
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Come and see the Sun and H.T.H. swimming pool chemicals and discuss your problems
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