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Post by ottawagardener on Jul 26, 2011 8:29:49 GMT -5
I've swaled this year on our slight westerly slopes of overtilled land and was impressed with the results. You can see the increased penetration of water and the lighter grains being captured - not running off. I've also made planting berms which are growing quite well.
As for wind breaks how about old fashioned Siberian Pea or Sea Buckthorn as a start? They both fix nitrogen and are thicket-like. Cedar doesn't grow? I only ask because cedar is one of those shrubs here which grows on shallow, poor soil that is either dry or wet.
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Post by scottyboy on Aug 7, 2011 12:16:10 GMT -5
I dont know a lot about sea buckthorne as a soil improving crop, Although i do know its used in bc for soil erosion control. But its nutritinal properties are insane(the leaves make a fantastic tea).
The oils from the seed and berries are one of the best things you can put on your skin due to their fat, vitamin and anti oxidant content.
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Post by steev on Aug 11, 2011 21:08:57 GMT -5
I tried several varieties of sea buckthorn ( seaberry ) several years ago and managed to kill all but the one male plant; I'll give them another shot someday. In reading up on it, it made me wonder whether the high oil content of the fruit might make it valuable in poultry or critter feed.
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Post by 12540dumont on Aug 12, 2011 10:23:40 GMT -5
what about the thorns?
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Post by steev on Aug 12, 2011 19:07:39 GMT -5
Do you mean thorns as preventing critters from getting at the berries easily? Hadn't occurred to me to let the critters forage for themselves. I was just wondering about harvesting the berries to maybe dry and grind into mash with grain. I figure anything that's edible for both me and critters is a twofer.
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Post by MikeH on Aug 15, 2011 3:58:23 GMT -5
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Post by MikeH on Aug 15, 2011 4:12:11 GMT -5
As for wind breaks how about old fashioned Siberian Pea or Sea Buckthorn as a start? They both fix nitrogen and are thicket-like. Cedar doesn't grow? I only ask because cedar is one of those shrubs here which grows on shallow, poor soil that is either dry or wet. Also locust, honey or black. These are trees but can be kept small by coppicing. |
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Post by 12540dumont on Aug 15, 2011 15:45:57 GMT -5
This was our front yard in 05. This is an area that once was a cattle pen, and then became a parking area. It had the worst compacted soil, no shade, weeds as tall as me. So in 04 I pulled the weeds, brought some compost and planted a few trees. Attachments:
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Post by 12540dumont on Aug 15, 2011 15:48:28 GMT -5
From 05 to the present I have put in nothing in this garden except for coffee. A friend took me to a Starbucks and I saw a bin that said "grounds for your garden" I took everything in the bin home. My husband was dubious, but the grounds were free, so he said I could do a test patch. This is the same garden in 06, same time of year. Attachments:
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Post by 12540dumont on Aug 15, 2011 15:55:07 GMT -5
So, the coffee was working so well, that Leo stopped on his way home and hit 3 Starbucks a week, bringing me home more coffee. I spread it all over the side yard. Attachments:
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Post by 12540dumont on Aug 15, 2011 15:58:39 GMT -5
This is the same side garden in 09. Nothing but coffee. Attachments:
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Post by 12540dumont on Aug 15, 2011 16:02:21 GMT -5
Same side garden. Today this some of the nicest soil on the farm. So, I think that out there you can find things to add to your soil to improve them, regardless of their condition. Some of them are even free. Attachments:
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Post by steev on Aug 15, 2011 19:12:42 GMT -5
I always save my coffeegrounds for when I plant out roses, I think there's lots of K and P in those grounds.
I saw coffeegrounds kits for oyster mushrooms today; spendy, but I suspect there's a way to set up a perpetual mushroom kit with my morning grounds.
Grandad always threw his grounds where he went to dig fishing worms, kept that spot very friable and full of night crawlers.
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