Posted: 2/4/2009 4:48:16 PM EDT
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I live in south florida and growing season is here.
I have a new 5'x25' garden I just started. I started from seeds peas, peppers, and carrots. I have 3 tomato plants, 2 strawberry plants, and 9 romaine lettuce. I would like to prepare the ground for growing. I know a guy at a ranch, and he said I can have all the manure I want. What should I do to get the dirt getting? I know there must me a chart, or rule of thumb. Thanks guys |
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If it is well composted, just till it in with some lime. If it is green, till it in with lime and a nitrogen time release fertilizer. As organic material composts, it uses nitrogen. Also, let is rest for a month or longer if possible.
As for how much, the more the better.... As long as it's not too green. If it is from horses, you will probably have alot of clover weeds the first year. In the future, if you want to enhance the soil, grow bush beans in the fall. When you harvest the beans, just cut the plants off at ground level. The beans will live nodules of nitrogen in the soil and the roots will naturally compost. |
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Quoted:
If it is well composted, just till it in with some lime. If it is green, till it in with lime and a nitrogen time release fertilizer. As organic material composts, it uses nitrogen. Also, let is rest for a month or longer if possible. As for how much, the more the better.... As long as it's not too green. If it is from horses, you will probably have alot of clover weeds the first year. In the future, if you want to enhance the soil, grow bush beans in the fall. When you harvest the beans, just cut the plants off at ground level. The beans will live nodules of nitrogen in the soil and the roots will naturally compost. What do you mean green? The poo will be fresh, older is better better you say, I can dig around I think. I think they may throw it in a pile. So over 99% will be cow, I know they eat grass, I can see a hay feeder with traffic around it. So the bottom line is I really can not use too much, I will need lime. If it fresh I will need nitrogen? Thanks a lot. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
If it is well composted, just till it in with some lime. If it is green, till it in with lime and a nitrogen time release fertilizer. As organic material composts, it uses nitrogen. Also, let is rest for a month or longer if possible. As for how much, the more the better.... As long as it's not too green. If it is from horses, you will probably have alot of clover weeds the first year. In the future, if you want to enhance the soil, grow bush beans in the fall. When you harvest the beans, just cut the plants off at ground level. The beans will live nodules of nitrogen in the soil and the roots will naturally compost. What do you mean green? By green, I mean new manure. Not composted. If the manure is green it can "burn" the plants by having too much PH and using the nitrogen as it composts. Many gardeners will till in the new manure (with lime & nitrogen) in the fall and plant in the spring. The poo will be fresh, older is better better you say, I can dig around I think.
I think they may throw it in a pile. So over 99% will be cow, I know they eat grass, I can see a hay feeder with traffic around it. Throw it in a big pile and turn it once a month. In a few months, you will have the best compost in the world. You can also throw in your kitchen scraps (non meat) and grass clippings. Do a google search on composting. So the bottom line is I really can not use too much, I will need lime. If it fresh I will need nitrogen?
Thanks a lot. In sandy soil like most of FL has, it would be hard to use too much compost. Lime will bring the PH of the soil into neutral. The nitrogen will help the manure compost. Be careful about using too much nitrogen if you are not going to let the soil sit for a month or so. Nitrogen can also "burn" the plants. Take a soil sample to your local county extension so they can do a soil test. They will tell you what else needs to be added to the soil. ETA: Feel free to PM me if you want to chat about it. ETA2: I highly recommend a book called "Square Foot Gardening". |