Re: [compost_tea] Rates and Combining

From: Perry Clutts <addy_at_arczip.com>
Date: Wed, 19 May 2004 21:39:38 -0400

SD>One inch of compost is an astronomical rate of application per acre. It=
 would be over 200 tons per acre.
SD>A normal application rate -- in farming -- is 5 tons per acre, and is no=
t even measurable in depth. It is a dusting of compost on the soil surface.=
 

Steve & others,

I agree with the compost rate.... we usually use 2.5 to 5 tons per acre for=
 cultivated rows crops. Vegetables get 10 tons. In our home garden, we've a=
pplied large amounts of compost and we found that more compost is not alwa=
ys better. I think some of the problems can arrive from the compost not bei=
ng totally "digested".... putting too much semi raw organic matter into the=
 soil. What we got was thistles. Elaine has mentioned before that thistles =
could be a sign of excess nitrate. Perhaps it's the organic matter breaking=
 down or being digested giving off the nitrate? At this rate, we have very =
little weed problems in our row crops (no herbicides).

What have you noted about agronomic and forage situations combining compost=
 tea and compost? Anything or any farm stand out? Sure would be neat to be =
able to track and anticipate N cycling and timing of tea and spring warm-up=
 and summer dryness. Have you run across anyone using compost tea for stock=
piling forage (fescue)? Know of anyone that has looked at compost tea for m=
inimizing Endophyte toxicity in fescue?

Perry



Received on Wed May 19 2004 - 22:34:06 EDT

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