Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 20, 1990                   TAG: 9006200019
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV9   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Philip K. Blevins
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOMEMADE COMPOST EASY, RICH IN BENEFITS FOR SOIL AND GARDENER

Many materials can be used to improve soil properties, but one that should definitely be considered is compost.

Compost has many benefits, including improvement of soil structure, increased nutrient and moisture-holding capacity, increased buffering capacity, reduced soil erosion, increased trace element levels and recycling of home organic wastes.

To make compost, it is most desirable to have a compost bin of some sort. Bins may be constructed from planks, blocks, or even old pallets.

Spaces should be left between planks or blocks for aeration. Make the bin 4 feet high and 4 feet wide, as long as you want it, and open at one end.

Locate the compost-maker on or near the garden, if possible, so nutrients that leach may be used.

After your bin is ready, start with a layer of coarse material such as small twigs or chopped corn stalks. Then put a layer of plant and kitchen waste such as leaves, weeds, corn husks and coffee grounds.

Next, add a layer of nitrogen-rich material to aid the microbes in protein production - manure, fresh hay, a thin layer of fresh grass clippings or succulent weeds.

Supplement this with one-half cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer, one-half cup of blood meal or one cup of cottonseed meal per 6-inch layer.

Add one cup of ground limestone per square yard of surface if a more alkaline compost is desired. This will help reduce odors.

Inoculate each 6-inch layer with about 1 inch of soil or old compost. Repeat layers until all plant materials are in the pile. Water to keep the pile moist, but not soaking wet.

Turn the pile with a fork in about a month (two weeks for shredded material) and again five or six weeks later.

The composting process should be complete in four to five months in warm weather, but it may take longer in cool or dry weather.

Shredded materials may take only a couple of weeks if kept moist and turned several times.

Finally, incorporate the compost into the soil and enjoy the benefits.

\ Earwigs wanted

\ If you are having earwig problems, Karen Walker, graduate student at Virginia Tech, wants to help you.

Karen is in need of colonies of earwigs for research and will come and collect earwigs if you give her a call at 231-9117 or 231-7207.

\ Wool pool pickups

\ The Christiansburg Area Wool Pool will take up wool July 31 at Southern States in Christiansburg and Aug. 1 at Southern States in Pulaski.