Making Compost Tea

Just as an experiment, I have dug up a portion of the chicken pen floor--which is composted chicken manure--and put some of it into a bucket, which I have filled with water.  I dug three five-gallon buckets full of the composted chicken manure mixed with hay and dirt.  I put the bulk of these buckets into a large rubbermaid-type trash receptacle and put the lid on it.  I want it to "cook" a little longer.  I had put some grass clippings in the receptacle last week after mowing the yard.

I drained off some of the liquid in the bucket filled with the manure/water mixture into a plastic jar (used whey protein container) and poured it on the blackberry bushes, fig trees, blueberry bushes, and tomatoes.  Yes, it goes a long way.

Now to wait and see if it boosts the production of the plants....so hard to wait!

Say ‘Hola’ to the Ollas

Say ‘Hola’ to the Ollas

It has been a really dry spring here.  In fact, over the last year, we had a dry late summer (of 2011), a very warm winter—again on the dry side, and now a dry spring.  I’ve had to water—a lot!  I would love to have a drip irrigation system.  But.  The systems are a little on the expensive side.   

I’m going to try an experiment with a low tech alternative.

I collect the empty coffee tubs at work.  I don’t want them to go into the landfill.  I’m not a rabid ‘green’ person.  It’s just that they make excellent storage units, scoops, and other various around-the-house uses.

I took a t-pin and punched some holes in a few of the tubs.    You'll have to take my word for it.  My camera didn't pick up the tiny holes.

I have set them at the blueberry bushes and the fruit trees.   

 I fill them twice in the morning and twice in the late afternoon.   If I do this, it means the fruits will receive about a 2 gallons of water a day.

So far, I likey!