North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["del stubbs" <pinewoodel@hotmail.com>]

I am presently cutting hay from a low area near my orchard with the 
intention of  adding it to the orchard as much needed organic matter - to 
amend the clay soil.  I just did a net search on composting hay and came up 
empty.
My thought is to make windrows 2' deep. Or to encircle the trees 6-8' dia.  
2'deep.  I dont have any mechanical means to turn it so will have to let it 
compost  by worms and slower (anerobic?) rotting.   Naturally, wherever I 
put it I won't be able to mow , but hopefully won't have to .  Getting mulch 
off from around the trees in the spring is a good idea here for early ground 
warm up.... not sure how to add that into the equation.
Any one done this ? Just piled hay in an orhcard and hoped for nature to do 
the rest?
I am hoping to be able to  add a neighbors horse manure to the top of it as 
well.
Duck weed has completely closed in our 2 acre pond, bet it would make 
wonderful fertilizer if a person could gather it.
Wish we could send some our rain to you folk in the dry parts of N. America, 
just had an awesome skeeter hatch here.  Del

Del Stubbs  www.pinewoodforge.com  ag zone2/3


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