composting

thedeacon

Leafing Out
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Started a new compost pile this fall. I let a portion of the yard grow a little longer than normal. But for a reason. After the leaves fall I mow and bag the mixed green grass and the brown leaves. I also have apple trees. Excessive crop, even after giving at least 1/2 of it away for various uses. I added a layer of apples between layers of the clippings. Chicken droppings come next. Not every layer but every other layer. It has settled quite a bit so need to add more stuff. I don't plan on turning it at all. I will see how much breakdown by next spring and if enough with sinple spread it out on the garden and till it in. I also dug 3 trenches, using a "V" plow attachment for my tiller and filled them up with apples. I covered them and in the spring will again just till them into the soil. I made the trenches at an angle so won't plant a whole row on top of them.
All season long I bag my 1 1/2 acre chicken yard and put the clippings on the garden, usually 6-8 inched thick. Excellent for keeping down the weeds and holding in the moisture. I water ver seldom. this year only twice as no rain in August and average day temps of 85-95.
Yes, this is my little haven in the country. A complete turn around form my daytime city job.

Later
 

robbobbin

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I have 9 apple trees so I understand EXTRA APPLES, but here I let the chickens have them lil by lil. Keeping them outside in barrels in the cold-they get ugly and soft but the girls dont mind.
 

DrakeMaiden

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How much your pile breaks down will probably depend upon how cold you get this winter, how big your pile is, and whether you have taken measured to insulate and/or protect from excessive moisture. At least that is what I figure. I try not to be too scientific about composting.
 

DrakeMaiden

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The neighbor's horses get our apples. Little by little too. Now they expect apples whenever we leave the house. :rolleyes:
 

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