Compost beds turns into raised beds

Earl · March 27, 2007

For awhile, untill I reached my limit, I made out of wooden pallets 4 by 16 foot compost beds. For a year I would pile in all garden/yard debris and then the next spring move the pallets to site of next raised bed, after which I'd pitch fork top debris from old bin into new compost bin and start over. Then I'd put border around old bin and I was ready to plant.

I've got some pictures somewhere if anyone needs visuals, I'll look them up and post, but it will cost you. :-)

Earl · March 28, 2007

I got the check, John.

tomgirletc · April 6, 2007

This is a really great idea. Great work. I will consider doing this if I have space. I've got bermuda grass at my new house. I've read some advice somewhere where someone said they wouldn't add their bermuda grass clippings to a pile. Would you concur with this Earl?

Thanks for posting the picture!

Suze · April 10, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomgirletc

This is a really great idea. Great work. I will consider doing this if I have space. I've got bermuda grass at my new house. I've read some advice somewhere where someone said they wouldn't add their bermuda grass clippings to a pile. Would you concur with this Earl?

Thanks for posting the picture!

Well, I'm not Unca Earl

, but no way would I personally add bermuda grass clippings to a pile. Especially in a warm clime like yours. Too much chance of picking up some seed (especially if you don't cut frequently), or even some runners. All it takes is a small piece and the right environment.

Vile weed!

I will say that I tend to favor mulch mowing anyway, because it's a great way to give the lawn back quite a bit of what it needs. Mulch mowing is also good for helping to prevent thatch, because organic matter helps to keep it broken down. But I digress.

tomgirletc · April 11, 2007

Thanks Suze. Unfortunately, my new house has bermuda grass. Am afraid that it and I will not be getting along very well. But yes, I've read quite a bit about mulch mowing working very well for many different reasons and I think that is what I will practice.

I'm not crazy about the idea of having a "monoculture" lawn but I am worried about the bermuda interferring with all of my gardening intentions. We'll see how it goes this first summer, then I might have to get someone in to help me get rid of it.

maryinoregon · July 23, 2007

Thanks Earl. I am doing this in one of my side beds and was trying to decide what to put around the beds. Not enough sun though for tomatoes. Probably for cole crops.

March 27, 2007	#1
Earl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 1,278	Compost beds turns into raised beds For awhile, untill I reached my limit, I made out of wooden pallets 4 by 16 foot compost beds. For a year I would pile in all garden/yard debris and then the next spring move the pallets to site of next raised bed, after which I'd pitch fork top debris from old bin into new compost bin and start over. Then I'd put border around old bin and I was ready to plant. I've got some pictures somewhere if anyone needs visuals, I'll look them up and post, but it will cost you. :-)

March 28, 2007	#2
Earl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 1,278	I got the check, John.

April 6, 2007	#3
tomgirletc Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alhambra, CA Zone 10a Posts: 30	This is a really great idea. Great work. I will consider doing this if I have space. I've got bermuda grass at my new house. I've read some advice somewhere where someone said they wouldn't add their bermuda grass clippings to a pile. Would you concur with this Earl? Thanks for posting the picture!

April 11, 2007	#5
tomgirletc Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alhambra, CA Zone 10a Posts: 30	Thanks Suze. Unfortunately, my new house has bermuda grass. Am afraid that it and I will not be getting along very well. But yes, I've read quite a bit about mulch mowing working very well for many different reasons and I think that is what I will practice. I'm not crazy about the idea of having a "monoculture" lawn but I am worried about the bermuda interferring with all of my gardening intentions. We'll see how it goes this first summer, then I might have to get someone in to help me get rid of it.

July 23, 2007	#6
maryinoregon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 361	Thanks Earl. I am doing this in one of my side beds and was trying to decide what to put around the beds. Not enough sun though for tomatoes. Probably for cole crops.