Homesteaders

[RustedOak]

Sounds like you have a really nice setup! I've never heard of "lasagna gardening", but it sounds pretty tasty. 

It's been a lot of work balanced over time around a full time job, a family and singing in a working band several times a week but I'm getting there. Only thing missing is sleep. Lol Lasagna gardening is just a fancy word for sheet mulching. Lol

 

[DesertChic]

It's been a lot of work balanced over time around a full time job, a family and singing in a working band several times a week but I'm getting there. Only thing missing is sleep. Lol Lasagna gardening is just a fancy word for sheet mulching. Lol

Sleep? What's that? I keep hearing people talk about how important it is, but it seems so elusive...LOL. Yeah...your schedule sounds as crazy as mine. I don't play in a band, but I do own a business. It really is true what they say....when you own the business, you work 24/7.

 

[rancher hicks]

Hi again,

So I'm reading a homesteading book and a couple of things I'd like to mention.

One is homesteading may not mean never having an outside job.

B. It mentions "smelly compost" pile. If your compost pile smells something is wrong.

I once had a cooler full of Walleye fish my SIL wasted pretty much. Caught them but didn't clean them so I got them. I had my daughter help me and I dumped them into a raised bed, covered them with a bag of peat moss and didn't have a problem with critters.

So what's my point? Keep some soil, or peat moss to the side. If you dump something that might be smelly, like fish guts, in there cover them with the soil you have to the side. A good compost pile should not smell.

III. Remember a compost pile should "cook". It should get hot, might even smoke a bit, but not usually. Sometimes when you turn it you might see some smoke.

 

[wyoDreamer]

My problem with composting in Wyoming was whenever I went to turn it, I had a cloud of dust.

 

[RichnSteph]

My problem with composting in Wyoming was whenever I went to turn it, I had a cloud of dust.

That's awesome! I mean it isn't great for composting but the mental image I conjured was just great. Perhaps adding some water now and then might help? *giggle*

 

[wyoDreamer]

That was with spraying with water every day! lol!
I had the same problem when I put it in the compost tumbler. 14% humidity really takes its toll. It took drip irrigation twice a day under mulch to get flowers to grow.

Editted to add: I made the mistake of putting tumbleweed in the pile. That stuff does not compost and will not absorb water.

 

[K-Kritter]

Just moved back to the homestead where I grew up. We have about 7 acres although most of it is just woods and a little swampland. Prior to this, my husband and I have moved 15 times in 14 years to 4 different states (No, not the military)!! Needless to say, I am happy to settle down and start doing some things. I have my first batch of chickens coming in April and have been working on a compost pile to start growing some vegetables. This thread sounds like a great place to find some useful information. It will take me a little while to read through, just wanted to say 'Hello'!

 

[DesertChic]

Just moved back to the homestead where I grew up. We have about 7 acres although most of it is just woods and a little swampland. Prior to this, my husband and I have moved 15 times in 14 years to 4 different states (No, not the military)!! Needless to say, I am happy to settle down and start doing some things. I have my first batch of chickens coming in April and have been working on a compost pile to start growing some vegetables. This thread sounds like a great place to find some useful information. It will take me a little while to read through, just wanted to say 'Hello'!

Hello and welcome!

 

[K-Kritter]

Thank you @DesertChic !!

 

[wyoDreamer]

@K-Kritter , what zone are you in? I am in zone 4.

I have a lot of sod to strip before I can plant; the garden area has been abandoned for a while - guessing 8 years or so. I have some sod from another area that is in a pile cooking right now, well frozen right now, but should be ready in spring to put on the garden area. I threw a bunch of old hay and coop cleaning in with it, so hopefully with some intensive composting it will be ready come spring planting time.
The guinea coop needs to be cleaned out pretty badly. Hoping for a little bit of warmer weather so they will leave the coop and I can get in there. The Kuboda makes it a little bit easier.