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Stupid question of the day

 
Laurel Finch
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Hi all,
I've got a stupid question.  I've been working very hard at fixing up my backyard, building guilds, putting in natives, etc.  One thing I never see addressed anywhere is, how do you put compost down when the ground around all your major plants is full of other plants?  I have a LOT of low growing guild members because it's so windy back there (north-south wind tunnel effect from surrounding buildings).  If I throw compost on top of them, they'll be smothered.  What to do???  I have so much nice compost from my quail and chickens.

I wrestled with reality for 36 years, and I'm happy to say I finally won out over it.

 
Pearl Sutton
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Absolutely not a stupid question! I think I'd go for tucking it into all the cracks I could, and where I can't, make compost tea or sludge and pour it where needed.

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What I am looking for is looking for me too!

 
Dan Fish
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This is the stupidest question I have read on Permies all day.*

If your soil is already good I would just make the tea, and if your entire ground is covered with plants then it likely is. But if you need it for soil improvement and mulch then just shake the compost through the plants and stuff it in there! It will probably be somewhat of a "process"...





*This is the first question I have read all day. Therefor it is also the smartest question!

Fish heads fish heads roly poly fish heads

 
Laurel Finch
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Dan Fish wrote:This is the stupidest question I have read on Permies all day.*

If your soil is already good I would just make the tea, and if your entire ground is covered with plants then it likely is. But if you need it for soil improvement and mulch then just shake the compost through the plants and stuff it in there! It will probably be somewhat of a "process"...





*This is the first question I have read all day. Therefor it is also the smartest question!



Ha ha ha ha!    I live at the beach, the soil is basically just dusty sand.  But I've been working on it for 3 years, adding compost, etc.  Here are some before & afters:
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I wrestled with reality for 36 years, and I'm happy to say I finally won out over it.

 
C. Letellier
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Put on just a little at a time and gently rake or shake it in.    If dealing with low vining stuff lift it and drop under the vines.

Country oriented nerd with primary interests in alternate energy in particular solar. Dabble in gardening, trees, cob, soil building and a host of others.

 
Kenneth Elwell
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You could also part the plants as if you were going to tuck another plant in between; and then with a shovel, garden fork, trowel, dibbler, or auger, make a hole or pry open a slot and fill it in with compost.
Shaking it on might be made easier if the compost is screened to a small size, to take out any large pieces and break up clumps.

Nails are sold by the pound, that makes sense.
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Dan Fish
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Wow, that's looking really good!

Keep it up.

Fish heads fish heads roly poly fish heads

 
Laurel Finch
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Dan Fish wrote:Wow, that's looking really good!

Keep it up.



Thanks!  I worked so hard on it, especially the first year.  I see you're up in the foothills.  I'm in Frisco.  That backyard is a wind tunnel in winter/spring.  It's also blocked on 3 sides by 3 story buildings, so it doesn't get a lot of sun.  Almost none in winter.  Been a steep learning curve finding things that will survive.

I wrestled with reality for 36 years, and I'm happy to say I finally won out over it.

 
Dan Fish
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Very cool. Yeah I hear you, my growing area is a low grade windstorm most days in the spring. Definitely not SF windy but here the wind is DRY... Still working on better wind breaks here.

For what you described, I am now even more impressed. Good luck this year!

Fish heads fish heads roly poly fish heads

 
Laurel Finch
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Dan Fish wrote:Very cool. Yeah I hear you, my growing area is a low grade windstorm most days in the spring. Definitely not SF windy but here the wind is DRY... Still working on better wind breaks here.



I wish the landlady had put those cedars at the north end of the yard, where the garbage cans are.  The big one blocks what little sun makes it over the buildings.  They would have mad a windbrake on the north side.

Dan Fish wrote:For what you described, I am now even more impressed. Good luck this year!



Thank you!  It's looking good this year, especially after all the rain.  My New Dawn rose is full of buds, and I just got another rose bush from Home Depot for only $10: deal!

I wrestled with reality for 36 years, and I'm happy to say I finally won out over it.

 
Jen Fulkerson
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This may sound a bit barbaric, but as long as the plants aren't delicate I just sprinkle the compost over the top and use the water to spray off the leaves. This method isn't for everything, but a lot of plants can handle it.
Good luck

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” — Abraham Lincoln

 
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