English things to know about growing mixes and compost
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Transcript of English things to know about growing mixes and compost
Greenhouse mixes◦ Important variables◦ Mix components
Greenhouse trials◦ Observations◦ Lessons learned
Compost◦ Important variables◦ Production methods◦ Materials used◦ How to evaluate a good compost
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Important Factors pH: 5.5 to 5.8
EC: <1.0 mmhos/cm
Must be low to prevent damage to young seedlings
StructureGood porosity, excellent drainage
Fine particle sized material
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Typical materials◦ Peat
◦ Perlite
◦ Vermiculite
Other possible materials◦ Worm Castings: <3%
◦ Compost: <5% -> Must have low EC
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Important FactorspH: 5.5 to 6.5
EC: Recommended ranges
NB Soil Lab .75 – 3.0
U of Mass 1.5 – 3.0
MOFGA 1.0 – 2.0
NBDAAF trials 1.9 – 3.9
StructureCourser material
Porosity & moisture holding capacity balanced
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Typical materials used◦ Sphagnum peat, AND/ OR
◦ Coir (the coconut husk)◦ Perlite◦ Vermiculite
Other common materials◦ Compost◦ Peat Humus (black peat, muck peat)◦ Aged bark◦ Worm Casting
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CautionCertified Organic Growers: Make sure no
commercial wetting agent added
Pro’s Excellent drainage
Good moisture holding capacity (MHC)
Plentiful in NB
Con’s Considered by some to
be a Non-renewable resource
Low pH – needs lime Low EC – needs fertilizer Hard to wet
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CautionMake sure Coir has low salt (EC) content
Pro’s Renewable resource
Peat substitute
Good MHC
pH is higher than peat
Less lime needed
Easier to re-wet
Con’s Carbon foot print Costs
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Pro’s Helps increase porosity
Good drainage capacity
Con’s Does not provide any
nutrients
Cannot hold nutrients
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CautionKnow your source
Some US sources contain 2-3% asbestos
Pro’s Provides good porosity
Good MHC
Holds nutrients
Good source of Calcium & Magnesium
Con’s Costs Easy to crumble
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Caution1. Watch % used
2. Keep EC in range
Pro’s Renewable resource
Can replace some peat
Reduces lime
Source of nutrients
Holds nutrients
Good MHC
Disease suppression qualities
Con’s Can rob nutrients from
plant if C:N is high Attracts fungus gnats
& shore flies if wood based
Reduces porosity
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Caution 1. Keep to <10% of mix2. Don’t confuse with compost – different product
Pro’s Renewable resource
Replaces some peat
Con’s Difficult to re-wet Can rob nutrients due
to high C:N ratio Attracts fungus gnats,
shore flies
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Caution1. Stay away from muck peat
2. Keep between 10 to 20% of mix
Pro’s Good MHC
Con’s Reduces porosity Not a nutrient source
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Caution 1. Keep around 5% of mix
2. Nutrient levels can vary from source to source
Pro’s Renewable resource
Natural slow release fertilizer
Good nutrient holding capacity
Good MHC
Con’s Reduces porosity Cost
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Lime◦ Fine grade needed, not agriculture grade
◦ Calcitic lime for Ca (>30 % Ca)
◦ Dolomitic lime for Mg (22% Ca, 13% Mg)
◦ Choose type based on needs
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Nitrogen sources◦ Plant based ◦ Seafood based◦ Animal basedCaution Notes: Can restart composting process, or
release of ammonia at first watering (seek professional advice)
Phosphorus (P) sources◦ Bone meal◦ Fish meal◦ Calphos◦ Bat and Seabird guano
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Potassium (K) sources◦ Kelp meal◦ Greensand◦ Wood ash◦ Sul-Po-Mag◦ Potassium sulfate (OMRI)
◦ “Compost “
Calcium (Ca) sources◦ Calcitic lime◦ Gypsum
Magnesium (Mg) sources◦ Dolomitic lime◦ Epsom salts
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Four Trials Conducted
1. Basil – No supplemental fertilizer
2. Tomatoes, Lettuce, Broccoli – No supplemental fertilizer
3. Broccoli -With supplemental feed starting 14 days after transplanting
4. Lettuce – With supplemental liquid fertilizer – starting day of transplanting
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8 greenhouse mixes used in all trials
1 control used in all trials
Weekly observations
Grower’s assessment
Computer randomizing utilized
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Types1. Seafood & wood based products (WBP)
2. Seafood & peat
3. Animal manures & WBP
4. Animal manures & peat
5. Hay, straw, silage
Inclusion rates◦ 5 to 20% in most trials
◦ 30% in one and 60% in another
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Component Used in how many mixes
Sphagnum peat 14
Peat Humus 5
Coir 2
Aged bark 2
Castings 3 - @ 4.5 to 5%
Perlite 11
Vermiculite 5
There were a total of 15 different mixes trialed
No significant impact on performance from:
◦ Type of compost (with supplemental fertilizer)
◦ Compost inclusion rate
◦ Use of worm castings
◦ Coir vs peat
◦ Interchange of peat humus, compost & castings
◦ pH range (5.2 to 7.0)
◦ Levels - P, Ca, Mg
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1) Even with a wide range of mix configurations used and compost inclusion rates, (5 to 20%), the two items that consistently made positive impacts were when:
a. EC levels: 1.9 to 3.9 mmhos/cm
b. K levels: 200 to 250 ppm
2) All mixes (other than controls) required liquid supplemental fertilizer. Best results when started on day of transplanting
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Used at Strawberry Hill Farm – trial #4
◦ Day 1 & 8 – Rain Grow (4-2-3) chicken compost based fertilizer @ 1 oz/ gallon
◦ Day 15 – Neptunes Harvest liquid fish with seaweed blend (2-3-1) @ 2 oz/ gallon
Many other options available – check ACORN Inputs and Supplier Directories on-line
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Item Min Max Comments
pH 5.5 6.5 5.5 to 5.8 for starter mixes
EC (mmhos/cm) 1.9 3.9 <1.0 for starter mixes
Phosphorus (ppm) 1 20 ppm range in the trial mixes
Potassium (ppm) 200 250 Best performance range – Note: basil did well even at 500 ppm
Calcium (ppm) 60 380 ppm range in the trial mixes
Magnesium (ppm) 35 100 Ditto
Hort grade peat 0% 100% Grower’s choice - Feed & water will be needed more frequently
Coir fiber Sub for peat
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Item Min Max Comments
Compost 0% 20-25% The better the compost, the higher % can be used
Peat Humus 0% 20%
Aged Bark 0% 5-10% Economics will dictate its use
Castings 0% 5- 7 % Benefit: Long term crops
Combinations 0% 30–35% Compost, humus, castings
Perlite 0% 15–20%
Vermiculite 0% 5 – 10%
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NOTE:
1) Observations in this presentation are based on the 4
trials conducted between April and June of 2013.
Important Analysis1. pH: - keep in range of 5.5 – 6.5
2. EC: - 1.9 to 3.9 performed better
3. K: - 200 to 250 ppm for veggies,
higher seems OK for basil
Fertilizing1. Fertilizing - BEST to start day 1
2. Mix Fertility - Important to have in the mix, but
don’t rely on it alone
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Mix Components:1. Compost - beneficial to use, keep <20%
2. Castings - long term crops, <5 to 7%
3. Peat Humus - keep <20%
4. Combination – combination of above 3 items
kept<35%, or porosity impacted
5. Aged bark -caution, keep<10%, needs feed
6. Structure - needs balance of porosity &
moisture holding capacity
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“All composts are not created equal.” ◦ From: Tim Livingstone presentation on Mixes and
Transplants
Remember, just because a little is good, does not mean more is better.
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This section will provide some basics on:
◦ Critical elements for good composting
◦ Production methods
◦ Evaluation of a good compost
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Factors which influence availability of oxygenPile size
Turning frequency
Turning method
Porosity
Oxygen availability determines compost typeAerobic, or
Anaerobic
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Moisture Range Acceptable - 40 to 65%
Optimum – 50 to 60%
• Squeeze/ feel test
Rules of Thumb◦ Higher during active stage
◦ Lower during curing stage
◦ Hot months - add water
◦ Cold months – keep it out
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Both Carbon (C) and Nitrogen (N) essential
Beginning C:N ratios: 20 & 40:1
Prevent N loss. Add soil (5 to 10%)
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High carbon sources Wood based products Cardboard & newspaper
Medium carbon & low nitrogen sources Hay and straw Leaf waste
Nitrogen sources Animal manures Silage, fresh green materials Yard waste Food processing waste
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Heating will occur naturally - IF there is a;
Good C:N ratio, and
Adequate moisture, and
Sufficient porosity
Active heating range: 50 – 65˚C
Turn when temps in this range
CAUTION: Excessive heat destroys beneficial microbes
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Turning windrowsFront end loader
Excavator
Straddle windrow turner
Farm manure spreaderPitchfork
Other methods include:
In-vessel systems
Static aeration with vents
Bins
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Critical Parameter Range/ Comment
pH 6.5 to 8.0
EC 3.0 to 6.0 mmhos/cm
C:N ratio 15 to 25:1 (when finished)
Smells Like a good forest soil
Appearance No original substrates recognizable
Temperature Will not reheat if moisture is brought to 50 –55%
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NOTE: To be sold, must also meet CCME
Guidelines for Heavy Metals and pathogens
Need to Know: Analysis: pH, EC, K levels
Compost type, % used
Percent of non peat ingredients
Structure
Remember: start fertilizing early
Advice on making your own: Start small, trial, test
Don’t switch until proven
Enjoy!
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