mike graz

Ill let the pile go until its crumbly. I started with limited brown materials and looking back probably should of mulched the browns better and added a bit more . there were times where the pile would give off an ammonia smell so I know it was too high in greens and prob could of added non treated saw dust. Ill start some much nicer piles in fall. I plan on using it for both out door veggie garden,aact and part of an organic homemade potting soil

Thanks for the response I have some blood meal how much should I add. And yes it got to wet at a point I had ot covered with a tarp but a massive thunderstorm hit and still managed to hit.

Hello on 6/30/13 I attempted my first hot compost pile. I made my pile by mowing grass and random weed the mowed dried leaves and straw then piling in layers approximately 3-4 inches until the pile was 3x3ft then wet it let it sit for 4 days until I flipped and mix the pile. The pile cooled down to virtually not heat as of 7/27/13 .the pics below are of the the pile after the first flip the one when it cooled and a close up of the pile .my question is it done ? Or should I do something to kick start it back up

Thanks Jessica and Mitch. Mitch you were spot on as being white vervain after reviewing pics and info online about it. May I asked how did you indicate that?

Is this a nettle if so is it still usable for fpj

Hello all does anyone have any advice on how I should go about planting cover crops in heavily compacted hard soil without tilling or disturbing the soil?

Yes I will probably dig holes then turn the soil and keep adding waste as well as the use of cove crops. Now as far as the cardboard I have shoul I wet and make holes in that then plant in the soil underneath and but mulching materials on that or should I save it for fall and make beds then when the field behind my has goes brown in late fall and the leafs drop. I had tons of leafs last season but put them threw mulcher and made mass piles of compost that I forgot to mention covered my entire garden about 2 inches deep

I use my neighbors grass clippings

Thanks for the replies. The issue issue is I have peppers,tomatoes,eggplant,zuccini and broccoli that I started indoors in Feb that I really need to get planted. How should I do this for now? should I dig holes for each plant and turn just the soil in those areas? I will plant some cover crops so im much more prepared for next year.

Hello this is my attempt to convert my yearly tilled garden to a permie design. I live in a suburb of buffalo ny and I have more clay soil in my garden. My garden is 30'x30'. I made a few sheet mulched raised beds but the problem is I will not have enough brown materials to cover my whole garden with 18" tall beds. Is there a different method I can employ besides raised beds or double digging to get the permie design started