Dynamic Accumulators of Nutrients for Composting

[Tania]

I found this great resource when looking for plants that helps to build the soil.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...=sharing#gid=0

Here is a 'less scientific' list, with no numbers:
http://oregonbd.org/Class/accum.htm

Chickweed, Lambsquarter, horsetail, stinging nettle, and dandelion are gold mines!
Unfortunately we do not have lambsquarter any more

Tatiana

[Tania]

By the way, the spreadsheet (the first link) has many other tabs that are all very informative and useful.

[joseph]

Originally Posted by Tania

Unfortunately we do not have lambsquarter any more

How fortunate for you...

And lucky for me because lambsquarters is one of my most prolific weeds. What's your mailing address? I'll send you some seeds...

[Redbaron]

Thanks Tania. YOU are the gold mine!

[ScottinAtlanta]

Fascinating. Thanks for posting.

Too bad it does not include kudzu.

[Labradors2]

Wow! Thanks Tania!

I guess I shouldn't be sending my dandelions to the city compost facility! Trouble is that they usually have seeds on them by the time I get around to pulling them up! Gotta put some horsetail in my composter too!

Linda

[peppero]

Originally Posted by ScottinAtlanta

Fascinating. Thanks for posting.

Too bad it does not include kudzu.

Scott I Read something about Kudzu's use as a fertilizer so I am trying it .

I am sure people passing by thought I was a little odd or worse when they saw me pulling it and storing in the back of my country cadillac(pickingup truck) but, I did see where it was used by a famous giant tomato grower as part of his tomato feeding program.

jon

[Tania]

Originally Posted by Labradors2

Wow! Thanks Tania!

I guess I shouldn't be sending my dandelions to the city compost facility! Trouble is that they usually have seeds on them by the time I get around to pulling them up! Gotta put some horsetail in my composter too!

Linda

Dandelions are allowed to grow on our property. As we pull them promptly (for salads and juicing also ), they are not very wide-spread, and at this time of summer I wish I had more of them available.

They are also awesome food for your chickens.

[Tania]

Re horsetail - we collect it in buckets, and add water and let it brew there for a while, until it turns into a nice bubbly stinky mess. Makes it a great fertilizer!

Same works for chickweed.

Brewing chickweed in water helps to kill the seeds, so it does not spread like crazy in your veggie beds. Adding it to compost may not kill the seeds (unless your compost pile heats very well)

[Labradors2]

Hi Tania,

I know I have to make more use of the horsetail. I was thinking of brewing a tea and spraying my tomatoes with it as a preventative. Letting it sit in a bucket of water sounds like an easier way to do it!

I could ship you a truckload of Dandelions in the spring or would you prefer some seeds?

Linda.

[Tania]

Linda, LOL.

I think I will start asking neighbours to bring me their dandelions
Here they are starting to come up again and blooming, second time.