I've been on the lookout for some cheap dry dog food as of late, because it can really get a cold compost pile cooking again. The oldest pallet bins have been somewhat neglected for the past 2-3 months, because all of the focus has been on the newest bin system (which of course has the vertical auger in it.) So, while I was doing some shopping the other day, I noticed this bag of dog food, and immediately put one in the buggy. Man...16 lbs. for $4.99 - what a bargain! I assure you that the packaging is the best thing about the whole thing, because the food itself smelled pretty weird, and I understood why it was so cheap. Still, it was a good addition to the piles, and of course Jude was having fits for it, but I can assure her that she wouldn't be as happy as the dog on the package afterward..... Ha! If she only knew.....
Photo below - I also put the 2 gallon bucket of UCG's in them that the store up the road is saving for me every week. That's so nice for them to do, and I sure do appreciate it! Speaking of UCG's, wife is gonna make me go with her to Huntsville to find a suit (blech!) for EG to wear at an upcoming wedding. The best part about the trip, is that there are probably 5-6 Starbuck's in the area. Hehe.....Oh, we'll be going in the big red truck for that trip! I'll hopefully bring home somewhere between 50 and 100 lbs, if they have some there.
The long weekend (thanks to Good Friday) will be spent mixing more 6:3:1 for the swc's, and also hardening off the tomato seedlings in the propagation systems. I've already potted up the tomato seedlings that will be used in my garden, and placed them on the top shelf of the 3rd propagation system. The other 300+ seedlings will be potted up into 6 oz. cups, then placed back under the lights. It's gonna be interesting, because I really don't have room for them. Sounds like it's time to skin the 4x4 greenhouse finally....hehe.
Jude is taking good care of the corn seedlings for me, and i'll reward her over the weekend by giving lots of time outside her cage. She loves Saturdays and Sundays....
I've also began setting up some of the larger swc's in place, and have around 9 more to go. The buckets of 7:2:1 growing mix from last year will be adjusted to meet this year's formulation, too - by adding more perlite to it. If I can think of it, i'll adjust the temperature control of the coldframe opener, too - but it's doubtful that i'll remember...They sure would be a big help right now with the tomato seedlings....
Anyway, I hope everyone has a safe and productive weekend!
EG
6 comments:
I guess having Jude locked up is preferable to her eating the compost. Mmmmm, coffee grounds. Have fun clothes shopping! My spouse actually loves it, so I go along and bring my knitting.
EG - dog food in the compost? Are you serious???????? You put some crazy stuff in there! LOL. My compost never seems to get to the point I can use it. I keep adding on top and mixing it up, but I'm mixing the fresh stuff with the black stuff, so I can't use the black stuff. Does the bin EVER get full??
stefaneener - yeah, you're right - plus she's safe in the pen...
kate - yes, dry dog food is wonderful for heating a cold pile up. There comes a time when you're supposed to stop adding stuff to it. You could probably sift some finished stuff out of yours, if ya constructed a compost screen.
You are a master composter EG! I added some alfalfa pellets to my pile and did a turn of it last weekend. It's been pouring rain and cold all week so I have not spent much time after work doing much more than I have to outside - so no idea of the pile is getting some heat again or not... hopefully!
Your compost is looking really good. Compost is something I'm in desperate need of at the moment. All of the commercial stuff I'm buying is costing me a pretty penny.
Ah, I love Starbucks. Being based here, we have one every block or so. Had to comment beause I just had my wife pick up three bags on the way home today. Threw it into the compost to jump start it for the spring, as well as mixed a bit into the raised beds to provide more nitrogen for the plants I'll plant there in a few weeks. Everything's looking great EG. Boy do I love spring.
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