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(ARA) - As the air turns cooler
and the days grow shorter, our backyard gardens surrender their
last fruits and vegetables of the year, and the last leaves fall
from the trees. When we pull out the yellowing vines from the
garden and bag leaves from the yard, we're a little saddened
that we must wait until spring to see new growth again.
Autumn, however, is the perfect
time to begin a project that will ensure a bountiful garden next
year: a compost pile. Harvest time is a great opportunity to
start a compost pile because decaying vines, vegetables, leaves
and grass clippings contain excellent nutrients that break down
over time to recharge soil with nitrogen for spring planting.
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Building a compost pile is simple
with these easy tips from the lawn experts at John Deere. First, find a place for your
compost. Drive four 5-foot wood or metal stakes one foot into
the ground. Fence in three sides with chicken wire, leaving one
side open for easy access. If you like the idea of a compost
pile but don't have time to build one, purchase a prefabricated
compost unit.
Next, collect chopped tree leaves,
grass clippings, and all the vines and fading plants from your
vegetable garden and build a pile that's at least three feet
in diameter and three feet high. |
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This will build a hot internal temperature
that gets nutrients "cooking."
Flowers also contain many nutrients
that are great for composting. If your annuals have gotten "leggy,"
pull them up and toss them in the compost pile and till the bed.
Leave the fall perennials while the leaves are green, and then
mow them down once they turn brown and compost the leaves.
Add the material in five- to
six-inch layers and sprinkle a 10-10-10 fertilizer -- ten parts
each nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium -- on top of each layer,
and add a dusting of lime to prevent odor. Cover each layer with
soil.
Shape the pile like a volcano
and make an indentation on top to catch rain. Water the pile
occasionally to keep it moist and turn it once in a while to
move drier outside material into the middle where it can break
down into lush humus.
To avoid odor and bothersome
animals, never deposit meat or bone into the pile. As a safety
precaution, avoid adding diseased plants or lawn clippings that
have recently been treated with herbicides or weed killers.
John Deere
also suggests waiting at least four mowings after the lawn's
been treated before composting grass clippings.
Instead of having the autumn
blues, turn your attention to a fun and easy project that will
ensure a healthy garden next year. Compost now and in the spring,
your garden will get a shot of nutrients that have been cooking
all winter long. |
