compost trials 2013
DESCRIPTION
Various on-ranch materials were used in 5 different compost recipes to determine which mixture would produce finished compost in the shortest time. Materials used included leaves, straw, potato vines, comfrey, pine needles, grass clippings, and cow, horse, and chicken manure.TRANSCRIPT
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COMPOST TRIALS 2013
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Material was collected from the ranch for use in compost trials, to see which
produced finished compost most quickly.
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Materials included leaves, straw, potato vines, comfrey, pine needles, grass
clippings, and cow, horse, and chicken manure, combined in 5 different recipes.
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Applying green leaves from fallen branches found after a storm
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These green leaves were removed from fallen branches after a storm, to be used
as green material for a compost pile.
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The green material for this pile was freshly cut grass.
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Using a rotary mower to mulch grass to use as green material for compost piles
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Using a rotary mower to mulch grass to use as green material for compost piles
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Using a rotary mower to mulch grass to use as green material for compost piles
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Preparing the ground for compost pile trials
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All piles start out 3' x 3'.
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Finishing first layer of a compost pile
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The lower layer of a compost pile consists of fibrous, hard to break down
crop residue and straw.
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We applied azomite mineral to help embed the finished compost with
nutrients.
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The brown material is finished compost. The idea is that microorganisms from the finished compost will inoculate the new
piles.
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A compost pile with several layers of alternating green and brown material
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Compost pile with alternating layers of green and brown material
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Adding some biochar to a compost pile
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A report with trial results is available free online.