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oldpaddy

Show off your pile!

oldpaddy
13 years ago

Let's see the goods!

I have 5 piles in various stages of composting. I plan on starting at least one more pile and maybe three more.

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I'm going to use the blue barrel in the spring to make compost/seaweed tea.

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Since I don't have the money to build or fill in this 10yr old foundation I've decided to turn it into a vegetable garden.

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My piles are mostly made with mulched leaves, seaweed/eelgrass, horse manure with shavings, coffee grounds, kitchen scraps and fish guts. Plus a pan of wood ash in each one.

Comments (34)

  • annpat
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    {{gwi:314959}}

    Can you see the steam? That particular pile, in the process of being turned, is from a few years ago. It has all the things you mention, but with a whopping helping of pumpkin parts.

  • jonhughes
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    11-1-2010

    Majority of the garden wastes cooking like crazy ;-)

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    11-6-2010

    Addition of Boatload of leaves,each area got mixed with equal amounts of materials..

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    Here is a link that might be useful: Why Sift Compost ????

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Well, to get back to the reality of a modest home-owner's compost pile (modest pile, not necessarily a modest home-owner):

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    The main pile is free standing and well along the way - I use the black bin to pretreat paper mixes and for winter kitchen scrap dumping. When it gets full I add it to one end of the windrow-style pile.

    The oaks and a few wild cherries have obligingly helped me out by adding leaves.

    Claire

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Oh, and I'll mix those leaves into the pile as is, when it stops raining and the wind dies down. I'll spread the compost half-finished on the garden (non-vegetable) along with the leaves already fallen there.

    My garden is a hybrid of ornamental plantings and wildlife habitat so un-shredded leaves look quite natural, at least to my eyes.

    Claire

  • jonhughes
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    WOW Claire ! !
    That is a nice pile.....looks gorgeous ;-)

    BTW... I am just a modest homeowner too ;-)

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  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    OK, Jon, here is a part of my garden in July with nary a concrete block in sight. (I'm not sure I even own a concrete block....)

    I'll pass on the personal photo though.

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    Claire (who is always amazed at the differences in peoples' gardens)

  • jonhughes
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi Claire,
    Beautiful Flowers ! !
    I had a flower in my garden too ;-)

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    Here is a link that might be useful: Jon's Wonderful Garden 2010

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Very impressive, Jon! Lots of well-grown, happy vegetables (and flowers). "Bountiful" is a word that comes to mind.

    You did good.

    Claire

  • Lloyd
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Jeez, and all I grew is one lousy tomato plant.

    Kinda embarrassing after seeing those two gardens! :-(

    Lloyd

  • jonhughes
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    But it is a mighty fine Tomato plant ;-)

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  • Lloyd
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Next year I'm taking pictures of my Canadian Thistle patch!

    What the heck is that purple thing on the bottom left (not the grapes, I know what grapes are)? Shape looks like a pepper but are there purple peppers?

    I can't ask DW, she'll just roll her eyes at me and give me that "You're a dolt" look.

    Lloyd

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Ooh, such lovely tomatoes and vegetables and fruit! Guess who's coming to dinner!

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    Claire

  • nutsaboutflowers
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Your pictures make a person hungry, Jon.

    And Claire, I love your flowers. What is that animal? Not spikey enough for a porcupine?? Smooth enough for a muskrat? What the heck is he/she?

  • jonhughes
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Lloyd, You nailed it Brother ;-0
    They come in all colors, white to black ! !

    Claire,
    Those little monsters have no shot
    at my garden......anymore ;-)

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    Here is a link that might be useful: NO MORE RODENTS ;-)

  • annpat
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Lloyd, a friend of mine said that he just noticed after 30 years of marriage that the "dopey voice" that his wife uses when she expresses what the dog must be thinking is the same voice she uses when she tells her friends about some dumb thing her husband has said.

  • tiffy_z5_6_can
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Lots of simple and fancy stuff here so I'll add the messy version to compost piles.

    I'm having to rebuild after years of having pallets which kept things going in the compost area. Things are starting to fall apart...

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    Last year I was able to rebuild a section with rebar and 1/2" wire stuff.

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    Whenever a new pile goes up Raven will keep guard for a few days so the raccoons don't take the 'goodies'.

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    An overview. The whole section to the right is the one which needs replacing.

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    New pallets ready to do the new works. We've had over one month's worth of rain in the last 5 days which has put a real halt to leaf picking this season so far. I usually have over 100 bags in this area. :O(

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    Annpat, You are not getting this one!

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    I may not have anything fancy or heavy equipment, but the end result is beautiful!!

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  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    nutsaboutflowers: That's a groundhog AKA woodchuck, the scourge of many gardens. I throw out peanuts to lure the Blue Jays away from the small bird feeders, and one day that guy showed up. Loved the peanuts. I only saw it for a few days.

    tiffy: I love how compost indirectly fosters butterflies! Great shot - will summer ever come back? Rain and rain and rain here too.

    Claire

  • loribee2
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'm envious of all that LAND you all have. Here in my California tract home development I've only got the space for a couple of these:

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    But as you can tell from my garden photo, I tend to be a neat freak anyway. Proof that even the compulsively orderly can grow veggies:

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    And by the way, Claire, that's a beautiful garden you have! And Jon, I'm in serious need of a pink rake. While I admit it plays up the color of your eyes nicely, I think it's more my style!

  • jonhughes
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yeah Right Loribee,
    Is that Wheelbarrow sitting on your neighbors property ???
    I didn't think so ;-)
    Double dig that land and get to planting ;-0

    If I give you my rake,how will my wife get to work ???

  • loribee2
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    LOL Jon! Okay, so I do have a little more space behind the workshop, but right now that dead grass patch is my spot for cutting wood and mixing concrete.

    I would love, love, love to live somewhere property wasn't a premium and I could have a some nice big open piles of compost to contend with. But I just can't move away from my beloved SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS! (Sorry, just HAD to get that plug in there).

    As for the rake, I think as an anniversary present your wife deserves to be upgraded from that old model to a nice sleek European Swiffer Sweeper.

  • dottyinduncan
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Jon, what do you do with such a bountiful harvest? Your wonderful veggies would feed hundreds...

  • nutsaboutflowers
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Dotty - I'm sure Jon will answer your question but......

    Jon is a wonderful soul. As far as I remember, I think he gives much of his veggies to the local food bank. Can you believe all that work and then he gives it away? We need more people like him =:)

  • jonhughes
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi Dotty,
    It's true (not the wonderful soul part ;-), all of my Vegetables are donated to the Local FoodBank, lots and lots of hungry people out there ... a couple of weeks ago I finished my summer harvest (butternuts) and that brought my total pounds of donated food to 5103 lbs that was May to November, if anyone cares how that breaks down here is the dates and poundage stats from the FoodBank

    12 LBS oF Early Onions (from Fall Garden) 3-23-2010
    25 lbs of Radishes 4-28-2010
    125 lbs of Red and Green Lettuce 4-28-2010
    29 lbs of Swiss Chard 4-28-2010
    8 lbs of Spinach 5-5-2010
    14 lbs of White Icicle Radishes 5-12-2010
    4 lbs of Spinach 5-12-2010
    6 lbs of Red and Green Lettuce 5-12-2010
    2 lbs of Mesclun Lettuce 5-12-2010
    12 lbs of Rainbow Chard 5-18-2010
    42 lbs of Swiss Chard 5-18-2010 Poundage to Date 279.00 lbs
    5 lbs of Snap Peas 6-5-2010
    11 lbs of Swiss Chard 6-5-2010
    3 lbs of Red and Green Lettuce 6-5-2010
    14 lbs of Broccoli 6-5-2010
    15 lbs of Cabbage 6-5 2010 Poundage to Date 327.00 lbs 16.35 % of 2000 lbs
    24 lbs of Broccoli 6-14-2010
    13 lbs of Green Cabbage 6-14-2010
    6 lbs of Carrots 6-14-2010
    5 lbs of Radish and Beet Greens 6-14-2010
    25 lb Red Cabbage 6-14-2010 Poundage to Date 400.00 lbs 20 % of 2000 lbs
    3 lbs of Radish and Beet Greens 6-15-2010
    5 lbs of Carrots 6-15-2010
    20 lbs of Broccoli 6-15-2010
    12 lbs of Broccoli 6-21-2010
    18 lbs of Cabbage 6-21-2010
    8 lbs of Carrots 6-21-2010
    6 lbs of Sugar Snap Peas 6-21-2010
    24 lbs of Radishes,Turnips,Various greens Poundage to Date 496 lbs 24.8 % of 2000 lbs
    4 lbs of Broccoli 6-22-2010
    15 lbs of Sugar Snap Peas 6-22-2010
    12 lbs of Carrots 6-24-2010
    9 lbs of Swiss Chard 6-24-2010
    29 lbs of Cabbage 6-24-2010
    18 lbs of Broccoli 6-24-2010
    4 lbs of Sugar Snap Peas 6-24-2010 Poundage to date 587 lbs 29.35 % of 2000 lbs
    16 lbs of Broccoli 6-28-2010 Total Poundage to 6-28-2010 603 lbs 30.15 % of 2000 lbs
    43 lbs of Sugar Snap Peas 6-29 -30 2010
    4 lbs of Broccoli 6-29-2010
    3 lbs of Swiss Chard 6-30-2010
    8 lbs of Radishes 6-30-2010
    9 lbs of Carrots 6-30-2010
    6 lbs of Sugar Snap Peas 6-30-2010 Poundage to date 676.00 lbs 33.8 % of 2000 lbs

    Totals to 6-30-2010
    112 lbs of Broccoli
    79 lbs of Sugar Snap Peas
    136 lbs of Lettuce
    12 lbs of Onions
    79 lbs of Radishes
    106 lbs of Swiss Chard
    12 lbs of Spinach
    40 lbs of Carrots
    100 lbs of Cabbage

    9 lbs of Broccoli 7-1-2010
    4 lbs of Garlic 7-1-2010
    5 lbs of Lettuce 7-2-2010
    4 lbs of Artichokes 7-2-2010
    2 lbs of Carrots 7-2-2010
    9 lbs of Carrots 7-8-2010
    3 lbs of Summer squash 7-8-2010
    4 lbs of Broccoli 7-8-2010
    43 lbs of Potatoes 7-14-2010
    14 lbs of Carrots 7-14-2010
    43 lbs of Potatoes 7-14-2010 (2nd load today ;-)
    30 lbs of Carrots 7-15-2010
    10 lbs of Potatoes 7-15-2010 Poundage to date 856 lbs 42.8 % of 2000 lbs

    Totals to 7-15-2010
    125 lbs of Broccoli
    79 lbs of Sugar Snap Peas
    141lbs of Lettuce
    12 lbs of Onions
    79 lbs of Radishes
    106 lbs of Swiss Chard
    12 lbs of Spinach
    95 lbs of Carrots
    100 lbs of Cabbage
    96 lbs of Potatoes
    3 lbs of Summer Squash
    4 lbs of Artichokes
    4 lbs of Garlic
    9 lbs of Summer Squash 7-19-2010
    41 lbs of Red Cabbage 7-19-2010
    4 lbs of Onions 7-22-2010
    10 lbs of Squash 7-22-2010
    8 lbs of Swiss Chard 7-22-2010
    12 lbs of Beans 7-22-2010
    7 lbs of Tomatoes 7-26-2010
    19 lbs of Summer Squash 7-26-2010 Poundage to date 966 lbs 48.3 % of 2000 lbs
    1 lb of Tomatoes 7-29-2010
    5 lbs on Onions 7-29-2010
    6 lbs of Cucumbers 7-29-2010
    26 lbs of Summer Squash 7-29-2010
    6 lbs of Tomatoes 8-2-2010
    31 lbs of Summer Squash 8-2-2010
    26 lbs of Cucumbers 8-2-2010
    30 lbs of Red Cabbage 8-2-2010
    2 lbs of Swiss Chard 8-5-2010
    11 lbs of Tomatoes 8-5-2010
    36 lbs of Cucumbers 8-5-2010
    28 lbs of Summer Squash 8-5-2010 Poundage to date 1174 lbs 58.7% of 2000 lbs
    16 lbs of Tomatoes 8-9-2010
    24 lbs of Cucumbers 8-9-2010
    41 lbs of Summer Squash 8-9-2010
    28 lbs of Peppers 8-12-2010
    35 lbs of Cucumbers 8-12-2010
    12 lbs of Tomatoes 8-12-2010
    50 lbs of Squash 8-12-2010
    27 lbs of Bartlett Pears 8-12-2010 Poundage to date 1407 lbs 70.35 % of 2000 lbs
    23 lbs of Tomatoes 8-16-2010
    14 lbs of Peppers 8-16-2010
    7 lbs of Pears 8-16-2010
    31 lbs of Cucumbers 8-16-2010
    54 lbs of squash 8-16-2010 Poundage to date 1536 lbs 76.8% of 2000 lbs
    7 lbs of Peppers 8-19-2010
    58 lbs of Pumpkins 8-19-2010
    37 lbs of Tomatoes 8-19-2010
    18 lbs of Cucumbers 8-19-2010
    32 lbs of Acorn Squash 8-19-2010
    35 lbs of Squash 8-19-2010 Poundage to date 1723 lbs 86.15 % of 2000 lbs
    53 lbs ot Tomatoes 8-23-2010
    26 lbs of Cucumbers 8-23-2010
    23 lbs of Squash 8-23-2010
    10 lbs of Acorn Squash 8-23-2010
    25 lbs of Pears 8-23-2010 Poundage to date 1859 lbs 92.95% of 2000 lbs
    9 lbs of Pears 8-26-2010
    46 lbs of Corn 8-26-2010
    61 lbs of Squash 8-26-2010
    42 lbs of Tomatoes 8-26-2010
    24 lbs of Cucumbers 8-26-2010 Poundage to date 2041 lbs WOO HOO ;-)
    4 lbs of Swiss Chard 9-1-2010
    16 lbs of Acorn Squash 9-1-2010
    51 lbs of Tomatoes 9-1-2010
    35 lbs of Cucumbers 9-1-2010
    83 lbs of Squash 9-1-2010 Poundage to date 2230 lbs

    109 lbs of Squash 9-7-2010
    13 lbs of Pears 9-7-2010
    49 lbs of Tomatoes 9-7-2010
    83 lbs of Peppers 9-7-2010
    35 lbs of Cucumbers 9-7-2010
    78 lbs of Squash 9-10-2010
    59 lbs of tomatoes 9-13-2010
    30 lbs of Squash 9-13-2010
    43 lbs of Cucumbers 9-13-2010 ……………………………………………. Poundage to Date 2729 lbs
    16 lbs of Veggies for Compost Material
    47 lbs of Cucumbers 9-16-2010
    46 lbs of Tomatoes 9-16-2010
    12 lbs of Squash 9-16-2010
    7 lbs of Peppers 9-16-2010 ……………………………………………………… Poundage to Date 2857 lbs
    83 lbs of Squash 9-20-2010
    49 lbs of Peppers 9-20-2010
    32 lbs of Tomatoes 9-20-2010
    8 lbs of Cucumbers 9-20-2010……………………………………………………… Poundage to Date 3029 lbs
    19 lbs of Tomatoes 9-27-2010
    25 lbs of Cucumbers 9-27-2010
    44 lbs of Squash 9-27-2010
    162 lbs of Squash 10-5-2010
    132 lbs of Cucumbers 10-5-2010
    140 lbs of Tomatoes 10-5-2010
    7 lbs of Peppers 10-5-2010
    17 lbs of Swiss Chard 10-5-2010……………………………………………………… Poundage to Date 3575 lbs


    210 lbs of Peppers 10-12-2010
    58 lbs of Cucumbers 10-12-2010
    78 lbs of Squash 10-12-2010
    114 lbs of Tomatoes 10-12-2010………………………………………………………… Poundage to Date 4035 lbs
    75 lbs of Tomatoes 10-19-2010
    16 lbs of Cucumbers 10-19-2010
    181 lbs of Squash 10-19-2010 ………………………………………………………………Poundage to Date 4307 lbs
    27 lbs of Squash 10-25-2010
    20 lbs of Onions 10-25-2010
    34 lbs of Tomatoes 10-25-2010
    5 lbs of Swiss Chard 10-25-2010
    179 lbs of Butternut 10-25-2010
    236 lbs of Butternut 10-26-2010
    54 lbs of Peppers 10-26-2010
    209 lbs of Butternut 10-27-2010
    32 lbs of Peppers 10-27-2010…………………………………………………………Poundage to Date 5103 lbs

  • berryman135678
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago
  • dottyinduncan
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Jon that's a VERY impressing poundage! And, for the food bank to receive such grade A veggies fresh from the garden must be wonderful, especially in a year when so many are needy. Well done friend.

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    That's a terrific thing to do, Jon! Does the Food Bank have storage facilities like refrigerated warehouses so they can keep the produce? Around here many of the smaller food banks/pantries won't take perishables because they can't store them until pickup.

    Claire

  • jonhughes
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yes, But they don't stay long, I take them to the Central FoodBank and they have volunteer drivers who pick-up and distribute daily through-out the valley to Food Kitchens ,Pantries, Gospel Rescue Mission,etc etc...

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  • Lloyd
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    You're a good man Jon Hughes and I bow in the general direction of southern Oregon.

    Lloyd

  • joebob
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wow Jon--- Great pics ---pls keep posting ---gives me hope for my own garden-- salivating over the different veggies you grow

    And the local food banks have a real treasure in you ---

    Keep up the good work - surely there are many stars in your crown -----JB

  • kentstar
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    My modestly small piles of shredded leaves ready to go next to my shed.

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  • ladon
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Well, I live in LA, so we don't have a whole lot of yard here with the autumn leaves and all. But, I do pretty well with what we got....and I've got a good helper too.
    Don

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  • jolj
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Looks Good, good job everyone.

  • jolj
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Coffee waste, free, to compost & sheet compost.
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  • jolj
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Top photo: each pile of bags has 8 super sacks, my brother has a rake, I am cutting open another bag.
    Bottom photo: I am raking out ground & whole bean roasted coffee, also a little green beans. Anything that hits the floor is throned out. The rich black stuff is wet chaff that is about 3 weeks old & going though a heat. You may not see the steam on the bottom photo, but look at the steam behind my brother in the top photo. Both photo are of the same pile.
    My son take the photos.

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