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Location

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Minnesota

Does anybody use Bat Guano, Worm Castings, does anybody use only compost with some manure & no dirt/soil, Superthrive, Corn Meal. Thank You

9/19/2007 9:10:43 PM

Minnesota

I ment to add Mircle Grow also, I read Mr. Beachy (I think) uses a weak solution of it.

9/19/2007 9:51:29 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

All that you meantiond are used, I believe you should put native soil mixed with some or all of the above, add maple leaves, used coffee grounds (at starbucks for free) molases

do a search on this site for "soil prep" you will find a ton of info and there are a ton of good books to read this winter

9/19/2007 9:58:07 PM

Minnesota

I have read some about soil prep, I just wanted to hear what people might have to say about it. Hey, that's a good idea, used free coffee grounds from starbucks, do people use them in gardens, what is it suppose to do. Why maple leafs? does it have to be maple.

9/19/2007 11:42:31 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Maple, birch & ash break down quickly. Avoid Oak like the plague - too much tannin.

Go easy on fresh manure - no more than a few inches per season. Aged is better if you can find it.

Ditto the coffee grounds at Starbucks but others will cooperate too. Ask around.

Get a soil test before adding anything so that you have a base-line.

9/20/2007 12:22:28 AM

Wi

I'm certainly not disagreeing with Tremor as he'll forget more than I'll ever know, but if you look at Dan Bowles's diary all those monster piles of shredded leaves are primarily oak leaves. He allows them to compost then uses them in the patch. Maybe they are holding him back to "only" 1200#. I don't know. I don't use oak in my patch.

I use worm castings in my planting hole and with my compost tea.

9/20/2007 9:33:17 AM

Minnesota

Coffee Grounds Somehow Help? Everyone Likes Coffee, People, Pumpkins?

9/20/2007 1:32:03 PM

Colorado

Fog,

This link will help explain the Coffee Grounds...LB
http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/compost.asp

9/20/2007 5:26:32 PM

Minnesota

Thanks, for the link, what about miracle grow? no because its chemical? I would like to add a little but I wopuld'nt wwant it to shrink or stunt its growing.

9/20/2007 6:50:28 PM

Mn

Worm castings make good tea.

9/20/2007 7:48:20 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Miracle Gro is fine to use. I know a lot of growers don't anymore but that doesn't mean it's bad. I would say don't over do it with the miracle gro (or other in-season ferts) if your soil is right. I do use various strengths of Miracle Gro at certain times of the season but not on a regular program and not frequently.

9/20/2007 10:03:03 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Oak leaves are OK of they've been composted. The lignin will break down & the tannin will leach. But if waiting a year isn't an option, use Maple leaves that are freshly fallen this year.

9/21/2007 11:12:09 AM

Minnesota

I bought some bat guano, I'm thinking of night growing,,joking, I did buy some and it is suppose to be good for gardening.

9/22/2007 2:36:14 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Bat guano is rich in nuitrients but pricey.

9/22/2007 9:11:18 PM

Minnesota

Yes, I bought it on ebay,,texas bat guano, 1 table spoon to 3 gallons of water.

9/22/2007 9:49:33 PM