lilmama

My medium is pearlite/vermucilite 50/50. still a no no?

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Weed may be the road to no where, but at least it's the scenic route!

lovejoy

would it be a good idea for every one to throw all their male mj plants in there too.

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Lovejoy

Lovejoys NFT SOG

Last grow

Xzoomd

Organic,
Where are you?
I thought this was a compost thread?

organic

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the absence...I got a cousin up here to help with the farm work over winter break so I've been out in my fields, and haven't had time to add on to this.

X, could you possibly include a sketch of what you are describing? I am having a hard time fully picturing it.
Also, having less than a 3x3 pile means it won't heat up very much. This shouldn't be a problem unless you have a lot of weed seeds or potential pathogens in the compost materials, but it will take longer to break down.

Lil, your question is pretty much off topic but I'll answer because sawdust has many properties to take into account when using it for composting, mulch, or as a soil conditioner.
The quick answer is no, you won't want to use it as part of a soil mix. The primary reason, as BD pointed out, is its instability. It has such a high C:N ratio that it takes enormous amounts of both N and microbial action to break down. The result would be you would have to use a lot more N.

Lovejoy, definitely yes on composting your male plants (and any stems/leftover trimmings at the end of harvest). One of my criteria for judging if a material is good for the compost pile is, what nutrients did the plant take in and use during its growth, and therefore has to contribute to the the compost? If you're using MJ plants to build compost with, you know that they are contributing exactly what a MJ plant needs to grow. More or less.

As a general rule, like most things in life, variety is the best bet for your compost fixins. When I make large scale piles for my farm, necessity dictates that I only use a few ingredients, but when I'm making compost for my vegetable gardens, I try to put in everything. If you really get into composting, try going to local grocery stores or juice bars and asking them for their leftover vegetable trimmings. That way you ensure a wide range of nutrients and minerals in the finished product.

Big O

Xzoomd

Organic,
Unfortunately Im using a webtv. i was thinking about a homemade tumbler like they have been advertising in mags. I was blazed Actually, I make enough during spring/summer to apply the following spring (home garden) and whatever I need for mj. I have two piles going. While one is finishing up the other is started. What is it, Black Gold! Love it.

X

lilmama

Also, sorry for getting off topic. It was something I was curious about, but until now did not know who too ask. You've done a GREAT job here, keep up the good work! And, good luck with your farming!

lil

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Weed may be the road to no where, but at least it's the scenic route!

Plantgrower420

Hey, I got some questions i was wondering about... i don't live on a farm, And i dont have any horse manure around, And i really don't want to take it, because thats kinda dumb. But getting back to my questions. I was wondering how you get your compost to 125f- 135f i think it is. the secound question is, can i use, some Mulch, or just some back yard dirt instead of horse manure. and the last, is how much compost should i make for only about 8 plants out doors ? oh wait one more question, What would be a good compost using dirt.... Thanks for the reply, in advance.

organic

The compost pile heats up because of a combination of factors...when the pile has the right combination of air, water, and source material, natural bacteria start reproducing extremely rapidly and start breaking down everything in the pile. This process creates heat. (This is a very simplified answer.) Anyway, you have to create the proper conditions - the posts above tell you what you need to know) for your pile to heat up in this manner.

Because you don't have animal manure, you will need something else to replace the nitrogen that it would supply. Regular dirt won't have enough, although you can use a little (no more than a 5-gallon bucket full). Vegetable scraps or freshly cut grass will give it some, and you could even use some blood meal to give it some N. The key is to have the right C:N ratio.

I'm not sure how much you'll need, but a rule of thumb is that when the composting is finished you'll end up with about 1/3 the amount of whatever you built it with.

I suggest re-reading this post also, there is a lot to learn.

O

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Hie thee hence to The Library
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Lizzie Borden

I think what this thread needs is some pictures.

I made my compost pile from 12 bales of straw, stacked two high, with four bales on each of two sides and two bales on the other two sides. There is an 8' section of 4" diameter perforated "crush" drain pipe going through the middle of the compost pile, laying on the ground. That is the white tube you see sticking out in this picture.

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Lizzie Borden

Freshly filled compost pile. It has some shavings in it which is pretty much unavoidable unless I want to wander around a pasture picking up individual turds. I hope the shavings don't mess up the C:N ratio. It takes six heaping full wheelbarrow loads to fill a compost pile this size.

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