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Soil, Compost & Mulch

Manure, shredded paper... now what?

15 years ago

In another forum I posted a thread about my new perennial/shrub bed. I decided to post an additional question here because I'm in awe with all of the great wisdom you guys share. I never really took the time to properly prepare a bed before and after reading about composting and lasagna beds I'm excited! DH and I scraped all the sod off the bed first. Then I scattered shredded paper on and he topped it off with a kinda freshish manure and straw mixture. I threw on some old coffee grounds and lettuce... but what's next. I've already come to the conclusion that I will have to wait til spring to plant it but what else should I add to insure great soil? It's very clayish now. Should I layer cardboard and mulch? I look forward to reading your suggestions.

Also, last night we set up a wire circle to start our composting adventure. DH threw the rest of the manure in there so far. He's really into this compost bin thing. I always say, "Well on GW they say that you should do this..." He just rolls his eyes.

Thanks!!!

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Comments (2)

digdirt2
15 years ago
More layers - the more the better! Another thick layer of shredded papers (scattering doesn't count ;), another thick layer of manure, more coffee grounds, spread a bale of straw and add more manure on top of it, a layer of fall leaves with a layer of grass clippings on top of it, etc.

Ideally, the cardboard goes on first next to the scraped ground to block weeds.

Picture a cross section of a chunk of lasagna - each layer is thick enough to be identified, right?

Enjoy the bed building process. ;)

Dave
Kimmsr
15 years ago
The single best place to learn more about composting that I have found is the Flodida On Line Composting web site.

Here is a link that might be useful: Florida's Online Composting
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