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Hayward, CA

Is organic compost good for first time patch? I had grass in the area and it was removed and tilled under just two weeks ago. It is a 30 x 30 area that is clay soil and I tilled in 10 - 2cf composted cow manure sacks from Home Depot and just put 2 yards of organic compost (no manure) will I be able to put the pumpkins in the ground there or will I have to do some more to the yard??
Brent

6/14/2007 12:18:00 AM

Midwest

You're on the right track.... Soil under grass needs to be kicked up in fertility. Grass isn't kind to soil and sucks nutrients without replacing them. Clay soils hold on to nutrients well. You might want to till the soil and then layer the compost over the soil this year. Just mix the compost/soil with a rake. The only way to tell which ammendment is best is to have them tested at a soil lab. Watch out for cutworms and other bugs that naturally dwell in grass. Would be a good idea to use Merit (non-organic) or nematodes (organic) to fight grubs.
Greg

6/14/2007 12:29:26 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

If the compost is properly made then absolutely it is good to use. When in doubt, leave it in a pile for a while & monitor the temperature. If it stays cool & smells "earthy" it is ready to use. However if it warms up &/or has a foul odor, then it needs more time to finish composting. If it stays cool AND smells bad then you don't want it at all.

I agree that a compost test (available from most soil testing labs) is the best bet. Many better composters already test & will offer their results in print. But check the date.

6/14/2007 10:41:12 AM

Hayward, CA

We have two young children, so the nematodes are the best for us. Could you over do the nematodes? I have seen a few of the grubs when I attempted to till the tough clay areas. I have also noticed a few bugs that look like lady bugs but are green with black spots. Mostly flying around but don't think I want to have any around when the plants go in the ground on Sunday. When can you spray for these type of bugs?

6/15/2007 12:10:56 AM