Hi, Paul. These videos were so awesome! Thank you so much. I do have a question: you speak about organic matter and humus as being incredibly value to improve the quality of the soil,. but I was hoping you could supply me with a bit more specific information. I believe you said table scraps and grass cuttings would be included in it, but is there anything else?. Can you provide more info for this beginner? Thank you!
That is where you will learn more about what compost is and how it is made. Compost can really be made of anything that was once living and dies and decomposes. Usually this is done with plant matter (vegetables etc.). Worm castings are another good source of compost/humus.
Definitely watch the video on composting and let me know if this helps!
Paul, greetings!
Questioning why I can’t access the digging deeper information?
I have been a member for a couple of years. Have just moved to be near our daughter and grandkids.
Our daughter would like a garden so I’m starting from scratch. Have not had a garden for a while but now have need to work though your videos and information. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated. It’s kind of fun to get back into it. We are preparing the beds now. Last average frost here is May 6-12. Thank you. Bruce
H Paul. Thanks so much for the two talks on soil structure. I’ve been growing worm castings for a little more than a year and have harvested them several times. The castings are deep brown and moist. When I use them in my garden should I mix the castings with garden soil prior to putting them around my plants or is it OK to put the castings directly on the soil around my plants? How much castings is a good amount for each plant? Is it possible to put too much worm castings around my plants and damage the roots? Is it best to mix the castings into the top few inches of soil or should I just let it be on top of the soil?
As you can see I have a lot of questions about how to use worm castings. I appreciate your answers.
Thank You, Kathy
Not only is mixing sand with clay not helpful, it is actually the recipe for Cement. Beware!
The addition of compost (as you mentioned) over time will improve clay soil. Time being the keyword, it’s not an “overnight” process.
I heard you comment on a video and now I can’t find it, but you were talking about a process where the beds are starved or something is done to handle the weeds. It sounded like something that is done periodically as opposed to a garden task, and it’s something that farmers do. Do you know what I’m asking about? I wish I could remember the terminology.
8 Comments
Chonrae Moore
April 11, 2018Hi Paul!
Can you please tell me where to get lime, dolomite, and other soil amendments.
Thank you so much!
Chonrae
Paul
April 13, 2018Hi Chonrae – great question! Check out the soil amendment companies that we suggest under the videos on this page: http://borntogrow.net/master-classes/ignition/analyzing-your-soil-test/
This should help! 🙂
Karen Chiarini
April 27, 2020Hi, Paul. These videos were so awesome! Thank you so much. I do have a question: you speak about organic matter and humus as being incredibly value to improve the quality of the soil,. but I was hoping you could supply me with a bit more specific information. I believe you said table scraps and grass cuttings would be included in it, but is there anything else?. Can you provide more info for this beginner? Thank you!
Paul
April 27, 2020Hi Karen – you bet! So the first thing to do would be to watch our video on composting: https://borntogrow.net/master-classes/grow/successful-composting/
That is where you will learn more about what compost is and how it is made. Compost can really be made of anything that was once living and dies and decomposes. Usually this is done with plant matter (vegetables etc.). Worm castings are another good source of compost/humus.
Definitely watch the video on composting and let me know if this helps!
Bruce Klutz
April 22, 2021Paul, greetings!
Questioning why I can’t access the digging deeper information?
I have been a member for a couple of years. Have just moved to be near our daughter and grandkids.
Our daughter would like a garden so I’m starting from scratch. Have not had a garden for a while but now have need to work though your videos and information. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated. It’s kind of fun to get back into it. We are preparing the beds now. Last average frost here is May 6-12. Thank you. Bruce
Kathy Green
December 13, 2021H Paul. Thanks so much for the two talks on soil structure. I’ve been growing worm castings for a little more than a year and have harvested them several times. The castings are deep brown and moist. When I use them in my garden should I mix the castings with garden soil prior to putting them around my plants or is it OK to put the castings directly on the soil around my plants? How much castings is a good amount for each plant? Is it possible to put too much worm castings around my plants and damage the roots? Is it best to mix the castings into the top few inches of soil or should I just let it be on top of the soil?
As you can see I have a lot of questions about how to use worm castings. I appreciate your answers.
Thank You, Kathy
Rita Stafford
October 29, 2022Not only is mixing sand with clay not helpful, it is actually the recipe for Cement. Beware!
The addition of compost (as you mentioned) over time will improve clay soil. Time being the keyword, it’s not an “overnight” process.
Wendy Perez
July 10, 2023I heard you comment on a video and now I can’t find it, but you were talking about a process where the beds are starved or something is done to handle the weeds. It sounded like something that is done periodically as opposed to a garden task, and it’s something that farmers do. Do you know what I’m asking about? I wish I could remember the terminology.