| Recipe for SOIL AMENDMENT |
| By: Barbara Higby (Connestee resident) |
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| 6 cubic feet vermiculite (agricultural type, "Terralite") |
| 6 cubic feet spagnum moss (peat humus) |
| 6 pounds 5-10-10 fertilizer |
| 2 pounds superphosphate |
| 5 pounds agricultural lime |
| All of these items can be obtained locally, Harris Harware, B&B Feed, ect. |
| Dampen the peat moss and mix it roughly with the vermiculite. Spread the remaining ingredients over the pile and mix again. Using a flat shovel, (an aluminum snow shovel is great!), shovel the rough mix into a cone-shape pile. Then, shovel from this pile to another cone-shape pile, and repeat the process once again. The third pile is ready to use. Mix 1/3 of this mixture with 2/3 native soil. You may use this recipe for what ever you plant. Used alone, it can be used for a sterile potting medium. Mixed with 2/3 native soil, it can be used when planting trees, shrubs, bedding plants, ect. You may also incorporate it into a new or existing vegetable or flower bed using that same ratio. |
| 1/2 bushel each vermiculite and peat (16 quarts=1/2 bushel) |
| 1/2 cup plus 2 TBS. lime |
| 3 TBS. superphos[ate |
| 1/2 cup plus 1 TBS. fertilizer |
| Composting |
| Begin with a base of small twigs, add shreadded leaves, a layer of garden soil (or any soil), 2 cups ammonium sulphate, 1 cup limestone and then wet down. Add a layer of kitchen vegetable matter, weeds, grasses, ect., 2 cups alfalfa meal and wet this down. Continuing the layering for 2 or 3 weeks, turn the pile and begin again. In about 3 months, the compost should be ready to use. |
| In Connestee, to prevent the woodland "critters" from visiting the pile, it is a good idea to surround the pile with rabbit fencing. Some "composters" advocate the use of black plastic both top and bottom of pile to generate heat and prevent run-off, but this is controverted by others. Do what you wish. |
| Happy gardening! |
| For a small batch use the following: |