Q- What experience do we have?

A-  Green Gardening through composting has benefit us for over 40 years. We use no chemical fertilizer or insecticide on our plants and have produced healthy  plants for as many years. 

Q- Is composting a lot of work? 

A- It can be. Turning a large compost pile by hand once a week is a lot of work, but by using composting bin or worm composters very little work is required. With the worm composter, just put the kitchen scraps in and let the worms do the rest. Some composting bins only require a little flip or turn. Some I roll on the ground. Most composters are designed to be easy. 

Q- How fast can I make compost?
A- With some of our composters you can have compost in as little as 21 days.

Q- How beneficial is compost.

A- Compost is very beneficial to all plants. Prior to modern society all plants depended on natural compost. Have you ever looked at the color of soil from locations that use chemical fertilizer and compared it to soil from a green garden that uses composting? The soil from the green garden using compost is rich and black. The soil from commercial gardens using chemical fertilizers is light brown. Good compost provide nutrients over time reducing the use of chemicals. It reduces the amount of water.

Q-What is compost tea.
A- Compost tea is the nutrient charged liquid that results from composting. Just put this nutrient rich liquid on your plants as a natural fertilizer. Diluting 3 parts water to 1 part compost tea will prevent harming the plants.

Q- How do I make compost?

A- Making compost varies depending on the method of composting used.  The traditional method of composting consist of  making piles. The piles, best at about 3 square feet, need to be turned  and watered. Layering produces a balance compost. The first layer about 3" deep consist of dried organic material which provides carbon. This layer aids in air circulation.  The second layer consist of 1 to 2" of  dirt providing bacteria to enhance composting. The  third layer consist of green organic material providing nitrogen. This layer should be about 3 to 4" deep. Continuing layering to a workable height. Keep the pile moist ,but not dripping,. Water when needed or when the pile is turned. Yes traditional composting requires constant turning to mix the three layer for proper compost and oxygenation. Do this for about 4 to 6 months for  compost ready to use on all your plants.  Adding your kitchen  scraps increases nitrogen levels.

      Today new easier methods of composting are available. There are many types of composting bins including worm composters.  The tumbler is a quick easy composting bin that provides quick compost with little work, just turn the composter weekly. Don't want a weekly obligation turning a tumbler, use  a totally passive method with the solar cone or worm composter.   The worm composter is odorless and requires little space. Just dump kitchen scraps and other organic material ,such as paper waste, in the worm composter.  To learn about other types of composting bins go to http://www.composterworld.com/frequentlyaskedquestions/

  Q. If we reduce chemical fertilizers, what can we do about natural insecticide to replace chemical insecticide?

   A. Work your plants. A healthy plant is the best defense against predators. Good soil from your compost and some natural amendments provides healthy soil. Using natural plants to deter or eliminate bad pest is the best way to protect your garden. Using garlic or onion plants deter many insect. Marigolds work great on nematodes. Tansy protects against many insect. Caster bean tree helps with moles and gophers. Organic Plant Protection is a great book for more information on this subject.   A variety of plants not in nice clean rows provides home for meat eating insect that will devour the herbivorous insect. Purchase beneficial insect, those that devour plant eating insect,  from bug farms. 

   Q.   What are some other natural methods to reduce garden problems.

   A.   Providing a habitat for birds and predatory insect. What type of insect eating birds live in your area. Put up nesting boxes for that species of birds. Make the area an inviting place for birds and insect. For birds put in drinking and bathing areas with plenty of fresh water. Provide nesting areas , like ledges for robins and boxes for other birds. Put up a Purple Martin hotel. For predatory insect providing a place to hide. Put mulch in the path ways for spiders. Grow plants close providing a hiding place for other meat eating insect. Pick or wash pest off plants. Provide hiding places , like a board , for snails and slugs to hide under. Pick up the board each morning  and destroy the snails or slugs.  Put out water traps for pest to drown.  Put down small pieces of pipe or bamboo for pest to hide. Pick the pipe up in the morning and dump the pest into water coated with cooking oil. You probably have a method or two of your own. Please share your natural methods of insect reduction with us. Happy gardening.  

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