I've decided, since the people that own the property I live on have half the backyard dug up, I'm going to avail mySelf of the opportunity to start a sheet compost bed of my own. They had some railroad ties lying around out there that I used to make an outline. There is also some scrap lumber I can use. Although it doesn't get much sun in that spot, of the cleared ground it gets the most. There is a huge old pecan tree taking up that entire half of the yard. That's okay, though. There will be something that can be planted there.
The good thing is that it's between a dip where water collects & a concrete pad that is contoured to direct water away from the foundation. There will be a way the water can be directed to the bed where it will absorb it. On the dirt side it will be as simple as digging a little canal from the dip to the bed.
The owners wanted grass planted, but were only able to afford 1 pallet of sod. They got St. Augustine, so I've been babying it, keeping it well-watered & putting down lots of vermicompost (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermicompost I've had earthworms for nearly 2 years) to nourish the soil. But in SLS class this past weekend one of the Permaculturists pointed out what a huge waste of land big yards were - how the area could be better utilized to be more sustainable. And I thought to mySelf that I'd be crazy not to take advantage of the materials & situation that I've been blessed with. I may have to dismantle it if the owners don't like it (I live in the garage apartment of a two-family dwelling), but I think they'll appreciate the benefits.
I'm now very excited about this project. Sheet composting is just so easy it's incredible. Plus, I just love the earthworms & they will naturally show up as the contents of the compost bed starts to decay.
I've been wondering how in the world people ever came up with that whole concept of turning the material to keep it aerated. That's a lot of work & I've tried that method & was totally unsuccessful. I've learned from having worm bins indoors that they like the layers. I killed my whole first batch of worms within 3 months. All the literature I read warned against anaerobic conditions in the bins, so kept sort of fluffing up & turning it, in the process mixing up the layers of food & bedding. Of course, outdoors will not have the challenges of a container, but I'll bet the earthworms still like the layers.
Okay, take care, be well, be grateful! Ashé!
kel
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