A garden is only as good as the ground that it's planted in. Discussion forum for the many ways to improve the soil where we plant our gardens.
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June 16, 2013 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 2,593
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Kudzu compost - for Southerners
Folks, I have been experimenting with kudzu compost this spring. As you know, kudzu compost is an old Southern secret, which apparently works because kudzu, a bean vine, is high in nitrogen.
Using a machete, I collect a batch of green kudzu, vines and leaves - a couple of bushels - put it through the wood chipper, and end up with a chopped green mulch. It acts like a turbo charge to the compost pile. 24 hours after mixing it with some water into browns (mostly dry mulched leaves and chipped wood), the compost pile is steaming. I can't put my hand into the middle of it, the heat is so high. After a week or so, the browns become a kind of humus, light brown and crumbly. In six weeks, black compost. Amazing! I now do this every few weeks as the compost pile gets more browns. Any other experience with kudzu compost? |
June 16, 2013 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: London Kentucky
Posts: 21
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Will definitely give this a try Scott. There is certainly an unlimted supply of Kudsu.
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June 16, 2013 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Fairbanks Alaska, Zone 1
Posts: 10
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Wow Kudzu!...I grew up in South Carolina and now live in Alaska. I have not seen Kudzu in 20 years. Spanish Moss, Kudzu, Mistletoe, and Magnolias. And one can't forget Cicadas, and Fireflies. I really miss the south! Please forgive the ramblings of a displaced southern boy.
Last edited by FisherPrice; June 16, 2013 at 01:08 PM. |
June 16, 2013 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 47
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I can tell some horror stories about that stuff, hope none of it takes root in your compost pile. That equals big trouble. Growing up in the south I never heard of it being used for compost will give it a shot.
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June 16, 2013 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 377
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Scott - I've never tried it myself but will based on your post. Sounds like an excellent ingredient for the pile when shredded!
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June 16, 2013 | #6 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl.
Posts: 2,500
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Just be careful handling it.
Quote:
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June 16, 2013 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 2,593
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Yes, careful mulching is essential. Also, I am harvesting it in early budding season, before seeds. However, I wonder if the composting process would sterilize any seeds in any case?
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June 17, 2014 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Prunedale, CA
Posts: 134
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Legumes
Just remember that legumes fix nitrogen in the soil because most of the nitrogen in the plant is in the root system. That's the nitrogen fix, plant the beans, next year plant the corn in the same spot. Or plant pole beans around corn. One plant fixes nitrogen the other plant needs a lot of it.
I have seen kudzu at it's worst and I'm not about to plant it here to benefit from it's root system. Never used it, not an kudzu expert but I would plan on it for compost and mulch. I would not expect to find a lot of N in those leaves. |
June 18, 2014 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 2,593
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Just made another batch of kudzu compost. 24 hours after adding the shredded kudzu to mulched oak leaves, the temps have risen to 120 degrees. This stuff is like rocket fuel in the compost pile.
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June 18, 2014 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Birmingham, ALABAMA
Posts: 68
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Sorry I didn't see this thread before I started mine, Scott!
Believe I'll be trying your compost recipe. I think I'll also dry a few batches on some old windowscreens and turn it into a moreof a powder form. It's cool to experiment with the free stuff at our disposal... |
June 19, 2014 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E
Posts: 5,041
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Here is the guy that put Kudzu on the map with this book. Good information on the subject and how to do it.
ami
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Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!' |
June 19, 2014 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 2,593
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Here is how I make kudzu compost.
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...ighlight=kudzu |
June 20, 2014 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: selmer, tn
Posts: 2,944
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You can learn something new and beneficial everyday if you pay attention. Thanks Scott.
Jon |
June 22, 2014 | #14 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Birmingham, ALABAMA
Posts: 68
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Quote:
Previously I'd only picked the leaves. Yesterday, I grabbed one of my 32 gallon plastic trash cans, went to a kudzu site with simple pruning shears, and cut vines and all, and filled the can in a matter of minutes. I layed the gloop out in my driveway, and with my basic mulching lawn mower, turned the pile into deep green aromatic pile, chopped somewhat similar to the consistentcy of grass clippings. Using close to a bale of wheat straw, I sandwiched two layers of kudzu between three layers of straw. I added 4-5 gallons of water on top. A couple hours later, i added another gallon of water with 3 tablespoons of molasses added. This afternoon, I stuck my hand 8"-10" into the heap, and could tell the temp was well over 100 degrees. Cookin'! I'll be starting larger pile soon, now that harvesting kudzu is not as difficult as I was making it. Will be adding poke salad to this one as well. The education never ends... |
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June 23, 2014 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 2,593
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Great to see this working for you.
Poke weed! Would be great to add that stuff, too. Let me know how that goes. |
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