Extreme Composting

I don't think so either. Curly headed and barefooted. What a cutie.

Nope, I don't believe for a minute that this little angel faced doll would dream of doing anything like that........that is, unless "someone" put the bug in her ear to do it

Oh and speaking of piles. Guess who has a nice big pile of free mulch sitting in her backyard? Yep, the tree trimmers have been working in the area lately and they brought me a nice big load of the shredded trimmings
It's really a shame that those of you so desperate to get this stuff don't live closer. There are mountains of it over at the dump free for the taking.

Still not convinced, huh.......

You sure have a dainty sentiment toward backwoods femininity.



















Now, let that be a lesson to yuh.

....oh, and, by all means.....congrats on the chips. It IS too bad more of these good felluhs didn't have closer access.

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“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater.
III

Wow. What a smiler! You're gonna have your hands full of boy problems in a few years!

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Honesty and integrity are homesteading virtues.

Now you're just showin' off
As far as having a "dainty sentiment towards backwoods femininity" ; I've been a country/farm gal for all of my 62 years and never saw any reason why farming and being a lady shouldn't go hand in hand. IOW, I've never communed with a pile

[B][/Forerunner,

i purchased incomplete compost from a municipality, about 2 yards maybe. In the course of a year or so it has completely turned to a black powder. I just remembered I do have a soil test kit here, but have you ever heard of this happening ? What could have caused it ? thanks.

Barring something unforeseen, that black powder, if originally an unfinished compost, should be a perfectly finished compost.....

Were you going to try testing it, for fun, even....maybe ?

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“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater.
III

Well yes, I am thinking about testing it, but how should the numbers look, in a perfect scenario ? I really don't know and I must confess didn't even think of it untill I started typing the note to you.

BTW, what happened to rich & crumbly vs powdery ????

Forgot something, Miss Lilly is just beautiful and so happy, it just has to be contagious. Congratulations.............

I honestly don't know how the numbers should look in a "prefect" compost.....but I do know how the watermelons, taters and sweet corn look.

Your powder situation could be a lack of moisture, or it could be a more complete mineralization of your humus than expected in that amount of time.
Could you recognize any of the mix when you first got it, i.e. wood chips, leaves, etc.?
Did the original material have any offensive or stronger odor ?

Lily certainly is contagious...... I'm looking forward to training her up in the finer composting arts.

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“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater.
III

Fate landed me here in the composting forum to find pictures of Lily! I fell in love with the family after reading Lori's blog and often think of them. I'm still having withdrawals after Lori stopped blogging, but so excited to see Ms. Lily! She is SO adorable!!!

Anyone close to zip code 15050 who wants some free cow manure for composting, send me a PM! I have plenty and am always happy to share.

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"I love all of this mud," said no one, ever.

"I'm looking forward to training her up in the finer composting arts"
Um.....said "arts" don't have anything to do with "communing" do they?

Oh, goodness.....communing would be the least of it.


Thank you, WG, for your generous offer.

That would be dandy if one or more of our fellow HTers could take you up on that.

Thank you for the kind sentiments, Kelly.....might you be willing to elaborate as to how fate brought you to us this a.m. ?

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“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater.
III

Oh nooooo! little Lily! Run far away!!!

[QUOTE=Forerunner

Thank you for the kind sentiments, Kelly.....might you be willing to elaborate as to how fate brought you to us this a.m. ?[/QUOTE]

Honestly? I was just stalking you since I hadn't seen you post lately in the countryside forums (where I hang out the most) and checked out the composting forum that I saw you had recently posted. I really miss seeing pictures of your family and think of them often. I use to go in to work and talk about what you folks had been up to that week (canning, gardening, baking, family time, etc). It was the one blog I checked everyday (besides my own daughter's blog).

Don't worry, I'm a harmless stalker...just consider me the granny from NC checking up on the children! (you've done an awesome job raising them by the way

Ok...back to composting!

*shuffles feet all self-conscious and sentimental-like*

Aww, shucks....... ya'll just make a young man blush.......




*ahem*

Yes, back to composting, indeed.

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“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater.
III

Just a quick update on those fleabeetle-ridden eggplants that were suffering a bit more clay and less water than most of my crops are used to.......





Lori has been deep frying, stir-frying, canning and souping eggplants for some time now. It's been several years since we raised eggplant, but I'm calling this year a success.

__________________
“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater.
III

I have land in TN. Most of 1 hill is very dense clay very few trees or bushes on it. There is a 600ft long hollow crossing the property. The run-off comes from over 300 acres. I am planing a dam at the low end, dam 1, and another about 300 ft up, dam 2. If they do not want there top soil, I do. Dam 2 is to slow the flow and let the soil settle. Dam 1 is for the fish.
I understand the roots of a tree will not like the change in the soil. But do I really have to dig a 10x10x10 hole for each tree and fill it with compost?

Nope. Well, depending on the size of the tree being planted.

3x3x3 works for anything up to an inch thick and three to five feet tall.

I mix compost and other amendments with about the same amount of the native soil right out of the hole, otherwise the tree goes great guns until the roots reach the perimeter of the good stuff and get persnickety about reaching on into the lesser grade soil.

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“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater.
III

Just thought I would chime in on this post. enjoyed reading and looking at the pictures. Thank you. I look forward to the next ones