What did you do in the garden today?

[HeartsDelight]

So those first two pictures there with the chickenwire, is that the awning of the cage of asparagus?

 

[igorsMistress]

So those first two pictures there with the chickenwire, is that the awning of the cage of asparagus?

 

[MissChick@dee]

So those first two pictures there with the chickenwire, is that the awning of the cage of asparagus?

The beds are wired on the ground in a raised bed. The firewood keeps it higher in the middle. Last year I used standard chicken wire. Bad choice. The asparagus didn’t have enough room. This year a 3” diamond shape. My chickens don’t really bother the asparagus. They love to lay and hide in the ferns. Digging was my problem not pecking. So far so good. They can still peck in the soil it’s just a small beak deep divot that’s good for my top soil.

 

[jnicholes]

Hello,

I came across this thread and I want to join. I am a big gardener. I actually finished a garden soil experiment today with astounding results.

The experiment involves a soil the Aztecs made and used called Terra Preta. It basically consisted of compost, animal bone, shells, organic matter, and charcoal. The soil the aztecs made is still full of nutrients to this day.

My experiment was to make Terra Preta and compare it to regular potting soil for growing vegetables.

I made the Terra Preta a while ago, and I did a soil test on the controlled soil as well as the Terra Preta today.

I want to show you the results.





Regular soil test results.

As you can see, everything is adequate in this test of regular potting soil except for the nitrogen, which is deficient.

Now for the Terra Preta soil test results. Prepare to be amazed.





Literally off the chart. There is no doubt that Terra Preta is a VERY rich soil.

Anyway, I wanted to share this with you all and see if it catches your interest.

Happy Gardening,

Jared

 

[MissChick@dee]

Hiya Jared.
Fascinating experiment. Thanks so much for sharing.
I garden in the desert. It’s a challenge so I’m always composting and looking for good info.
Just gotta ask. Do you use chicken poo too?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hello,

I came across this thread and I want to join. I am a big gardener. I actually finished a garden soil experiment today with astounding results.

The experiment involves a soil the Aztecs made and used called Terra Preta. It basically consisted of compost, animal bone, shells, organic matter, and charcoal. The soil the aztecs made is still full of nutrients to this day.

My experiment was to make Terra Preta and compare it to regular potting soil for growing vegetables.

I made the Terra Preta a while ago, and I did a soil test on the controlled soil as well as the Terra Preta today.

I want to show you the results.

View attachment 1723231
View attachment 1723232
View attachment 1723233

Regular soil test results.

As you can see, everything is adequate in this test of regular potting soil except for the nitrogen, which is deficient.

Now for the Terra Preta soil test results. Prepare to be amazed.

View attachment 1723241
View attachment 1723242
View attachment 1723243

Literally off the chart. There is no doubt that Terra Preta is a VERY rich soil.

Anyway, I wanted to share this with you all and see if it catches your interest.

Happy Gardening,

Jared

Great to have you join us .. you should see the black gold in the front small chicken yard it has been cooking 5 years shaving pooo and left over seeds

 

[Melky]

For people who do not do home soil testing, most regions have a county cooperative extension that works through a local university of agriculture that will complete free soil testing and provide recommendations for what nutrients are missing and how to replace. They will even give you recommendations that are considered organic if you are organic. I did mine this past year at end of season to get ready for spring. I added my amendments already. It’s a great thing to do and more accurate. They test Ph calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and nitrogen levels. Mine did a great job! You can even do this yourself for the lawn for greener grass everywhere.

 

[Melky]

​

Look all around thee! How the Spring advances!
New life is playing through the gay, green trees​

See how in yonder bower the light leaf dances​

To the birds tread and the quivering breeze.​

-Ludwig Tieck (1773-1853)​

Question if the day from Farmers Almanac:
How much snow does it take to equal an inch of rain?​

Answer: 13 inches of snow.
However this varies depending on type of snow for example two inches for sleet and fifty inches for fine dry powdery snow.​

 

[Searsmom]

View attachment 1723035 View attachment 1723034 View attachment 1723032 View attachment 1723027 High of 65*today. Got windy after 3:00p. Wore shorts after lunch.
Yay! Asparagus is coming up! I leave the first couple Spears from each crown to go to ferns/seeds. I’ll reseed some of last years next week.
I’m supposed to be transplanting Irises.
The whole “hands & knees” thingie is just a green light for me to procrastinate.
I cleaned out another flower bed. Reseeded my snap dragons that were in it. Threw up some janky fencing.

Ooh, good idea for asparagus!

Hello,

I came across this thread and I want to join. I am a big gardener. I actually finished a garden soil experiment today with astounding results.

The experiment involves a soil the Aztecs made and used called Terra Preta. It basically consisted of compost, animal bone, shells, organic matter, and charcoal. The soil the aztecs made is still full of nutrients to this day.

My experiment was to make Terra Preta and compare it to regular potting soil for growing vegetables.

I made the Terra Preta a while ago, and I did a soil test on the controlled soil as well as the Terra Preta today.

I want to show you the results.

View attachment 1723231
View attachment 1723232
View attachment 1723233

Regular soil test results.

As you can see, everything is adequate in this test of regular potting soil except for the nitrogen, which is deficient.

Now for the Terra Preta soil test results. Prepare to be amazed.

View attachment 1723241
View attachment 1723242
View attachment 1723243

Literally off the chart. There is no doubt that Terra Preta is a VERY rich soil.

Anyway, I wanted to share this with you all and see if it catches your interest.

Happy Gardening,

Jared

Hi!
Wow, that's the composition of my compost! It gets household scraps, wood ash, random overcooked bones, coffee grounds, used tea bags, leaves, pine shavings, chicken poo, and cooked egg shells. It's good stuff!!

 

[Melky]

Ooh, good idea for asparagus!



Hi!
Wow, that's the composition of my compost! It gets household scraps, wood ash, random overcooked bones, coffee grounds, used tea bags, leaves, pine shavings, chicken poo, and cooked egg shells. It's good stuff!!

Wow my egg shells are washed but I do not cook for compost. I figure the antibacterial wash is good enough. Composted after egg used.