Smart gardeners know that soil is anything but an inert substance. Healthy soil is teeming with life - not just earthworms and insects, but a staggering multitude of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. When we use chemical fertilizers, we injure the microbial life that sustains healthy plants, and thus become increasingly dependent on an arsenal of artificial substances, many of them toxic to humans as well as other forms of life. But there is an alternative to this vicious circle: to garden in a way that strengthens, rather than destroys, the soil food web - the complex world of soil-dwelling organisms whose interactions create a nurturing environment for plants.

This is for people who simply want to grow healthy, vigorous plants without resorting to chemicals.

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I WANNA GET HIGH SO HIGH THAT NOT EVEN A PAIR OF WINGS CAN GET ME TOO IT!!!!!

There is a food-web that the soil has in order to help feed your Plants. An incredible diversity of organisms makes up the soil food- web. They range in size from the tiniest one-celled bacteria, algae, fungi and protozoa, to the more complex nematodes and micro-arthropods, to the visible earthworms, insects, small vertebrates, and plants. Without this cycle it would be difficult to provide plants with the necessary nutrients they need. Try to add as much organic matter as you can in order to feed soil organisms. These organisms will break down organic matter and will eventually feed your plants. Here are some charts breaking down the food web.

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I WANNA GET HIGH SO HIGH THAT NOT EVEN A PAIR OF WINGS CAN GET ME TOO IT!!!!!

Anyone is allowed to add anything they think is important or not mention in Organics 101. I hope to get Ohso and other active members to give their input to help people better understand and apply organics to their grow. I will try to add as much information about the topic as possible. Please bare with me and enjoy ORGANICS 101.

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I WANNA GET HIGH SO HIGH THAT NOT EVEN A PAIR OF WINGS CAN GET ME TOO IT!!!!!

Composting involves mixing yard and household organic waste in a pile or bin and providing conditions that encourage decomposition. The decomposition process is fueled by millions of microscopic organisms (bacteria, fungi) that take up residence inside your compost pile, continuously devouring and recycling it to produce a rich organic fertilizer and valuable soil amendment.
Ingredients that can make good compost include:

Materials to Avoid

• Coal Ash - Most ashes are safe to mix into your compost pile, but coal ashes are not. They contain sulfur and iron in amounts high enough to damage plants.

• Colored Paper - Some paper with colored inks (including newsprint) contain heavy metals or other toxic materials and should not be added to the compost pile

• Diseased Plants - It takes an efficient composting system and ideal conditions (extreme heat) to destroy many plant diseases. If the disease organisms are not destroyed they can be spread later when the compost is applied. Avoid questionable plant materials.

• Inorganic Materials - This stuff won't break down and includes aluminum foil, glass, plastics and metals. Pressure-treated lumber should also be avoided because it's treated with chemicals that could be toxic in compost

• Meat, Bones, Fish, Fats, Dairy - These products can "overheat" your compost pile (not to mention make it stinky and attract animals). They are best avoided.

• Pet Droppings - Dog or cat droppings contain several disease organisms and can make compost toxic to handle.
•
Synthetic Chemicals - Certain lawn and garden chemicals (herbicides - pesticides) can withstand the composting process and remain intact in the finished compost. Poisons have no place in the natural micro-community of your compost pile.


Below are the average C:N ratios for some common organic materials found in the compost bin. For our purposes, the materials containing high amounts of carbon are considered "browns," and materials containing high amounts of nitrogen are considered "greens."

Compost is finished when it's a dark, rich color, crumbles easily, and you can't pick out any of the original ingredients. It should have a sweet, earthy smell. If it's too stringy or lumpy, it may need more time.

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I WANNA GET HIGH SO HIGH THAT NOT EVEN A PAIR OF WINGS CAN GET ME TOO IT!!!!!

NOthing??? oh well just roll another blunt

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I WANNA GET HIGH SO HIGH THAT NOT EVEN A PAIR OF WINGS CAN GET ME TOO IT!!!!!

I'm listening. I won't be able to set up composting anytime real soon, but I just added that to my game plan for the near future.

nice, try reading "Teeming with microbes" by jeff lowenfels. Changed my life. Made me garden smart at last. Bg hydro has it now, lol.

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medical-organic-call me medimorph!
I spell fyne!

I just finished that book last week well it was a torrent and someone had scanned the pages. It was a good read and that is one my resource I' am using for this thread.

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I WANNA GET HIGH SO HIGH THAT NOT EVEN A PAIR OF WINGS CAN GET ME TOO IT!!!!!

thanks for that, im setting up a compost for my garden and was wondering if its ok to add old potting mix with it for reuse. will that lessen the nutrient content of the compost? will the compost help regenerate the old soil.

Compost isn't really a stay alone soil it is more of a soil amendment or can be used in teas. I always reuse my soil. If you add the soil to compost bin just add a lil more of what you use or just let sit. The Microbes will do there job in the old soil over time thus improving compost.

Composting Old Soil
you can add some old soil to compost bin let it sit for couple months the way you would regularly, but mix with new soil for amendment.

Reusing and Regenerating your old soil:
Add compost to old soil and other additives such as compost and worm castings, let sit for a month, so it cooks and regenerate then can be used for your new plants.

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I WANNA GET HIGH SO HIGH THAT NOT EVEN A PAIR OF WINGS CAN GET ME TOO IT!!!!!