From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Tomorrow I plan on tilling in 100 lbs. alfalfa pellets into a patch of @1100 sq. feet.The OM levels areabout 24% and I want to add the extra N. The previous post asked about heat generation caused during decomposition. Is this something I should worry about? Typical spring weather here. It doesn't get very warm until middle to late May. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated, thanks.

4/8/2008 11:37:27 AM

California High Desert CinnamintStick@msn.com

I don't think alfalfa meal by itself is hot. In the old days Dick Raymond side dressed his garden with it. Right up againt the roots he would spinkel the alfalfa meal. When it went into the compost bin he found it worked as a activator to heat the pile up. If your not mixing it with manure, I would not worry about it getting hot and burning your plants. I been doing this a while but I am no expert. If anyone whats to give a oposit point of veiw jump in.

4/8/2008 3:37:50 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

A large quantity of alfalfa meal piled up under the right conditions might actually "compost" which would generate heat. But the quantity you applied (presumed tilled in?) should not cause heat generation.

4/8/2008 11:00:23 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Thanks.

4/9/2008 7:52:45 AM

Denver, CO

Tremor, is what you said above true if I till it in with 4 inches of composted cow manure at the same time? I understand that presumabley the manure is already done heating up but its never really fully composted down in my case.

4/9/2008 5:52:51 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I'm not able to find cow manure that is fully aged around here so the thought of adding 4" in the spring is unfathomable. Large additions of manure are best made in the fall to avoid extreme Nitrogen push.

If you do have the luxury of properly aged & composted manure then spring is OK.

4/9/2008 10:45:34 PM