What do you use to make leaves decompose quickly

PineRidge · Apr 24, 2005

Mike do you think they will sell ammonium nitrate to ME if I go in person or should I send a more normal person 

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

JerryG · Apr 24, 2005

Just make sure that you cover up that 100 gallon tank of diesel in your truck before you have them load it. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bczoom · Apr 24, 2005

( I will also get some nitrogen, is 46-0-0 still avaliable?
)

Yes.

I have some that got damp and the bag is now like a 50# rock. I doubt I can get it back to granular for using a spreader. Can I just bust it up as best I can and throw on my huge pile of leaves or do I need to work it in?

Brian

DougM · Apr 24, 2005

HarleyScooter

I know where U can a a truck load of horse Manure
FREE FREE FREE

Pm me if U want some

DougM

beenthere · Apr 24, 2005

It doesn't go 'boom' when you mix it with diesel, but the mix of ammonium nitrate AND diesel will allow you to 'boom' it (set it off) if you create a trigger, such as a blasting cap.

Don't advocate this now, but we used to blow duck ponds in the swamp back in the 60's using this mix. It's unfortunate that its been used so often to destroy lives and buildings since the early 70's.

Just didn't want to see the statement stand as it was written. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

40Kchicks · Apr 24, 2005

Composting will happen faster by keeping the microbes happy. They want a damp, warm, oxygenated, pile. So add a little moisture, don’t let too much rain on it, and stir it often. Put that front end loader to work. Also lots of places sell compost thermometers. They have a long probe that you can use for checking the temps in the pile. Once the pile temps start going down its time to stir it again.

RalphVa · Apr 24, 2005

I've fully composed sawdust. Two 8 cu ft barrels require a bag of 10-10-10 to get the C:N ratio down from about 500 to about 30. I use the 10-10-10 because mixing a smaller amount of higher N stuff would be more difficult. Oh, it takes about 40 gallons of water to get the water content right. Turned the whole mess about 3 times and added a bit of dirt in layers to get the enzymes and had the pile at least 4' deep. Sawdust doesn't need shredding.

Normally, I'm lazy: just jump the sawdust, sprinkle on the 10-10-10-10 and let nature supply the water. Takes work to make it really compost. Thought this would be a good job for the FEL on my JD. It's not that easy.

I've an Excel spreadsheet to calculate adjust the C:N and to computer how much water you need.

Ralph

Indydirtfarmer · Apr 25, 2005

( (ammonium Nitrate) fertilizer 

Say isn't that the stuff that goes boom when you mix it with diesel? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )

That's the stuff! Since the Oklahoma City Federal Building bombing, the name has changed... I was always Ammonium Nitrate prior to that event. Now it's sold only as 34-0-0. Still goes BBBBBBBBBBBBBBoom when mixed with diesel fuel. I bought nearly 40 tons this year, to spread on corn ground. I was required to sign several "intended useage" statements before delivery.

have_blue · Apr 25, 2005

( What is the best thing to add to piles of leaves to make them decompose at a faster rate? I would like to spread the piles out and mix them with existing soil, to hopefully be able to plant some grass someday in my neighbors back yard.
Thanks )

Best thing to do is shred it. Shredding mixes it with dirt and makes better contact with all the pieces. Next best thing? Just add dirt to the pile. Layer of leaves, thin layer of rich dirt, repeat,,,

bandit67 · Apr 25, 2005

( Some calcium (washed egg shells, washed shrimp shells,....) help balance the soil, too.

Tom )

Tom,

I've never washed the egg shells, just added them in as is. What's the reason for washing?

Thanks.