After writing last, saw an ad on CL from someone giving away bagged leaves. Went to get them after work one morning and got more than I counted on! Got 12-14 good sized backs, well packed. Few hundred pounds worth. Couldn't load any more and still see through the back window. Since then, had more rain and snow. Should help the soil when spring comes along.
Rain is helping to soften up the sheetrock piled in the back yard. I'm still convinced the sheetrock is a good idea but takes more work and time than I had counted on. Due to water resistant coverings, sheetrock doesn't break down as easily as I had hoped. Good thing in your house, not good for breaking it down for agricultural use.
The sheetrock also doesn't dissolve as I thought it would. Remains pretty chunky for a while. Not really a bad thing, except aesthetcially. Actually means the minerals will be more gradually released and organically available for a longer period. Then again, I've mostly been dissolving it in straight water. It takes the actions of water, acids and microorganisms to dissolve it completely. I'll mix most in the soil and some in the compost bin for that effect.
I am reconsidering the idea of buying compost from the local water utility before spring. Depends on finances, mostly. Can buy ten tons delivered for around $300. Less expensive if you buy unscreened, which has 2-4" wood chips in it. Probably go half and half, then rake excess wood chips from grassy area surfaces and compost or mix in garden areas. That would help keep soil more loose and again result in slower release for longer benefits.
Got stuff to do!
Rain is helping to soften up the sheetrock piled in the back yard. I'm still convinced the sheetrock is a good idea but takes more work and time than I had counted on. Due to water resistant coverings, sheetrock doesn't break down as easily as I had hoped. Good thing in your house, not good for breaking it down for agricultural use.
The sheetrock also doesn't dissolve as I thought it would. Remains pretty chunky for a while. Not really a bad thing, except aesthetcially. Actually means the minerals will be more gradually released and organically available for a longer period. Then again, I've mostly been dissolving it in straight water. It takes the actions of water, acids and microorganisms to dissolve it completely. I'll mix most in the soil and some in the compost bin for that effect.
I am reconsidering the idea of buying compost from the local water utility before spring. Depends on finances, mostly. Can buy ten tons delivered for around $300. Less expensive if you buy unscreened, which has 2-4" wood chips in it. Probably go half and half, then rake excess wood chips from grassy area surfaces and compost or mix in garden areas. That would help keep soil more loose and again result in slower release for longer benefits.
Got stuff to do!
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