|
Thu, Nov 18, 10 at 14:03
| I'm trying to reclaim a section of veggie garden from weeds. So far, I've got the layer of cardboard, a layer of 3 year old wood chips, layer of grass clippings topped with a pile of leaves/grass. Unfortunately not enough grass to get it heated up. Leaves are maple and oak and have gone through a lawnmower once. What would you suggest might break down the leaves over our wet winter so I can use this bed in the springtime? Or do I just wait? |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by nutsaboutflowers 2b/3a (My Page) on Thu, Nov 18, 10 at 15:22
| I understand from your other threads that you have compost. If I were you, I'd throw some compost onto this area, and mix it in a bit throughout your top layer. With your wet weather upon you, it might be wise to cover the area with tarp when it's raining for days. I imagine in your neck of the woods a lot of neighbours compost. Ask some of them. They most likely cover a lot in the winter. Oh, and your oak leaves will take longer to break down than other leaves, but if you're lucky, they'll have broken down by next spring. |
|
- Posted by rosiew 7 GA (rosemarywalsh@bellsouth.net) on Thu, Nov 18, 10 at 17:29
| You'll be in good shape to garden this area come spring. I'd suggest just moving all the layers aside for each planting hole. Hopefully only a few weeds will emerge in the areas of the planting holes. Doing the same thing here, so really really hope it works! Rosie, Sugar Hill, GA |
|
| Dotty, Leaves don't seem to break down fully until summer here in western WA. What looks too chunky to be forked into the soil before planting pull aside to add back as mulch after the weather is warmer & drier. Slugs find too many hiding places in coarse matter before then. I suggest adding: Last year, we added covers to fall layered areas and it was a lot easier to work the soil in early spring. I think the materials also composted better under cover whether from compost action or the worms I don't know. Hope that helps! |
|
- Posted by dottyinduncan z8b coastal BC (My Page) on Thu, Nov 18, 10 at 20:47
| Thanks fellow gardeners. I was hoping to get more grass clippings to add, but it is so wet now the lawnmower won't pick it up. I have added some compost, but not enough yet. I will take your advice, but wonder if I added "Rot It", or blood meal, would that help it break down faster? |
|
- Posted by jonhughes So.Oregon (jonehughes@hotmail.com) on Thu, Nov 18, 10 at 22:11
| Hi Dotty, Blood Meal, Bone Meal, Seaweed... YaDa,YaDa,YaDa....if you can get your hands on it ,do like nutsaboutflowers said and mix it all up, and by next Spring....you will be flush with growing potential....
|
|
- Posted by dottyinduncan z8b coastal BC (My Page) on Thu, Nov 18, 10 at 22:25
| What wonderful things to show off! Well done Jon. I loved your pictures on the other thread and hope that I can be at least a little successful like you. I took some of my produce to the food bank this past summer, but next year, I'll try and emulate you. I think the nicest thing about your raised beds is the artistic way you grow your lettuce. |
|
| Heat, from digestion, is not something necessary or needed in a Lasagna Bed. While heat may be desireable in a compost pile it is not necessary there either. Some research I've seen lately from Scandinavia indicates that the bacteria that digest organic matter stay busier in colder temperatures than we have been led to believe. |
|
- Posted by mustard_seeds 4 -Onalaska Wisconsi (My Page) on Sat, Nov 20, 10 at 14:11
| Yes I agree, I do not get heat with lasagna beds like I do with a taller compost pile that retains heat. By spring you should be able to plant into the bed with leaves - many plant even when the bed is freshly made. How tall did you pile it? Do you have starbucks coffee grounds available? |
|
| While Starbucks does have a corporate policy to give coffee grounds away rather than put them in the trash any coffee grounds will work just as well. Coffee grounds do not need to be from Starbucks to be useful. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Soil Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.