Subject: good-bad compost?????
From: spunkie199@aol.com (Spunkie199)
Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 98 03:22:07
Message-ID: <MOD$980829.3892@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
this is the first time i tried composting. thought i did a good job. now not
so sure.
i have a 40 gallon black plastic trash can on wheels. drilled lots of 1/2
holes all over top-bottom-sides. no pattern. put 5-10" branches (lenght) in
bottom. put 2 year old and newer leaves in the bottom. some kitchen waste --
not much-- lots of weeds. little or no grass----mulching mower----staggered
dirt- weeds etc. could only reach about 1/2 way to turn stuff over. seemed
to be working great. TILL i turned the can over to put into a raised flover
box. great dirt till i got to the leaves. did someone pour superglue on them?
they look the same as when i put them in last fall. anyway now the
leaves are on the top and good soil on the bottom of box. planned to plant
iris in box. can i plant them with the leaves on top? leaves now in thick
clumps. or re-arrange the dirt to the top. will the leaves break down on
top or will they rot -smother- the iris bulbs. iris's ordered and starting to
come in now. help. the leaves will be the last thing in on the next try.
also would i be further ahead to just remove the leaves and cultivate them
into the garden surrounding the box? exchanging dirt for leaves.
kinda desperate now because of bulbs coming in........i was so confident---i
waited too late to finish box and dump compost. any help is greatly needed.
please e-mail me so i get it sooner.
kathy k zone 5