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Rochester, Minnesota

I cleaned two years worth of crap out of the chicken coop on Saturday and a winter's worth of rabbit manure from under the cage. It all sits on top of over a foot of snowy ice in the garden right now, but just you wait. Only good things can come from that.

3/8/2010 6:11:31 PM

formerly RGG

Sounds great MMM. I just hope the weather is a lot warmer this year. I keep collecting coffee grounds from local Starbucks on a daily basis so I have acquired a large amount of them. I think these grounds will compare favorably with manure. It should be an interesting season if I don't burn my vines up with too much of a good thing.It was beautiful down here today. Temps were in the low 60's with lots of sunshine.I think it's gonna be time to think about firing up my new incubator soon.

3/8/2010 7:32:21 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

TD, glad to see another Starbucks fan!!! I do 3 stores, twice a week!!! Usually a 5 gal. bucket (almost full) from each. I have been doing this for almost 3 years!!! It does seem to be helping break up (slowly) my heavy clay soil. OM of any type will prbly do this over a period of time. I am certainly happy tho, that I found a big ole pile, of aged cow manure last fall, and paid (cheap) to have 6" delivered, spread, and tilled into the new patch!!! Grow em BIG!!! Peace, Wayne

3/8/2010 8:48:27 PM

formerly RGG

Wayne, I have been adding perlite to my garden as I can afford it and that seems to help a lot in breaking up the clay and as it is inorganic and will not decompose it is a long term solution.

3/14/2010 6:33:56 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

TD, where you purchase perlite? How expensive is it? and, What is it exactly? Well, not exactly...but what is it? I know it comes in some potting mixes, and starting mixes, but don't know what it is??? LOL Peace, Wayne
Not sure I want to be adding inorganic stuff to my garden, but wanting, and willing to learn!!! Any side effects w/ adding perlite?

3/15/2010 4:44:48 PM

formerly RGG

Wayne, perlite is a type of rock that is heated to about 1600 degrees and it pops something like popcorn. It is VERY lightweight and is neutral in PH. It helps soil to hold water and it keeps clay loose. I buy 4 cubic feet bags at a local greenhouse supply warehouse for about $10 a bag. I look at it as a long term investment in my soil.

3/15/2010 5:50:57 PM