Subject: Re: separate compost for evergreen?
From: "Bill Robinson" <roseguy@flash.net>
Organization: Flashnet Communications, http://www.flash.net
Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 14:52:35 -0800
Message-ID: <MOD$980307.22989@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$980306.6227@rec.gardens.ecosystems>



rpm wrote in message ...
>
>I'm planning to build a set of compost piles (new, older, ready to use),
>and want to find out if a separate pile for evergreen needles and other
>acidic remnants is a good idea for providing compost to rhodys, azaleas,
>evergreens, and if so, do I need to put anything in there to help it break
>down? Also, are fireplace ashes good/ok for compost piles? thanks
The composting process works best when the ratio of carbon to nitrogen
in the organic mass is about 20 or 25 parts of carbon to 1 part nitrogen.
The carbon mostly comes from starches, sugars, cellulose. The nitrogen
mostly comes from protein. The carbon to nitrogen ratio in conventional
compost piles from convention gardens normally comes close to that
figure.

A pile of nothing but evergreen needles would have a higher carbon/nitrogen
ratio and would compost slowly; i.e.m, too much carbon and not enough
nitrogen. The composting could be speeded up by adding something like
steer manure which could supply the missing nitrogen.

"The Rodale Guide to Composting" says, "Pine needles are compostable,
although they will break down rather slowly because of their thick outer
coating of a waxy substance called cutin.

I think you would be better off just mixing in the evergreen needles with
your
other garden clippings and kitchen scraps. A bit of steer manure now and
then
would likely speed the process along. Adding the fireplace ashes will give
the
compost an extra measure of potassium and alkalinity which may or may not
be needed. Compost is usually a bit on the acid side and as Martha would
say, "Its a good thing."

Bill