I've been working on trying to show one of my neighbors how to start seeds for their garden and the difference between just the peat pellet and good compost. Both these seedlings sprouted at the same time. The difference is the big one was put into the compost soil, peat pellet and all, right after it sprouted and the other was just left to grow on it's own. These seedlings are 2 weeks old, both large red cherry tomatoes. Both are growing on the same shelf in the window, right next to each other. I didn't even sift the compost, I just scooped some into the container.
These tomatoes will be my indoor plants for this winter.
There's nothing particularly special about the compost, it's just horse manure, hay, straw, a little sawdust, some rabbit, goat, chicken and a little cow manure in there too. Mostly horse manure tho. I don't turn the pile over, it's just occasionally heaped up with the latest additions which tend to end up spread out around the main pile.
The secret to strong plants and a successful garden is the soil. The more organic material you can get, the better. Plants need nutrients to thrive. Water alone will not do the trick. Commercial potting soils have a limited amount of nutrient available in them and it quickly runs out. Adding a good organic compost to your garden will ensure that your plants achieve maximum potential.
Posts
MM - i have been doing a lot of research about soil ammendments and compost and whatnot. from what i have been reading - apparently horse manure is the best kind of manure - i always thought it was cow manure.
ReplyDeleteanyway - lucky for us - we just found a local source for a ton of horse manure - woohoo!
plus, because we don't have any animals yet (and i don't think we are going to get any because we have local sources for a variety of animal meat) - we have 4 compost heaps that we add all of our kitchen scraps to. and those compost heaps look delicious - i want to roll around in them!
come on spring - i got some good soil growing all fall and winter - woohoo!
thanks for showing the difference between using just a peat pellet and adding some compost - such a difference eh? oh and just an fyi - whenever i share the "baggie" method with anyone - i always tell them it is the "MMpaints baggie method". i must have left 2000 comments on blogs all over the world sharing your method and linking to your blog - i am pretty sure that you are world famous by now. so, if you ever start receiving royalties or anything - i only expect 10% for all of the marketing. bahahahahah!
your friend,
kymber
Woohoo Kymber, I can't wait to see pics of your gardens! LOL on the comment love, such a simple little thing and it works so darn well, those little baggies!
ReplyDeleteMM - our gardens sucked this year but i promise that i have learned my lesson and next year we will make you proud!
ReplyDeletehey i noticed that you didn't say anything about the %10 that i should receive...ya know....just wondering???
bahahahahah! your friend,
kymber
Woha, what a difference! Really interesting reading!
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing the difference mm.
ReplyDeleteKymber, I use worm castings to start all my house seeds and so far for me it has beat horse, cow, rabbit, chicken, goose, human or any other matter I have used.
LOL Kymber, wish I could get rich from that idea, I'd share the wealth!
ReplyDeleteMDR, I wish I had a pile of worm castings!
Thanks Honemor, yah, whata dfference, eh? Peat pellets are great to get seeds sprouted, just no nutrient to feed them.