nitrogen-rich compost?

[Bonnie Hildebrand]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a nitrogen-rich source of compost to put on my garden beds. My compost hasn't finished and I need to get my beds ready very soon (I'm already behind, it seems,and don't want to give it 4+ weeks to grow crimson clover). I've looked into S&H Landscape Supply (in Hillsboro), but am wondering if ya'll have any experience with their organic compost product that is from yard debris? I'm concerned that it's too woody and thus will have little available nitrogen.

Thanks ya'll! I know this is an ongoing conversation for growing stock-free and the lack of readily available soil amendments that fit our ethics.

Bonnie

[Ji...@nwveg.org]

I'd compost with whatever you can reasonably get, and if it looks too woody, add in extra alfalfa meal or pellets for more nitrogen.  I know the composted yard debris from Grimms and McFarlanes is very deficient in nitrogen, but I'm not familiar with S&H.

 

Jill

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[Ole Ersson]

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, have you tried your liquid gold? (aka urine)
A convenient, free, local, and high nitrogen, and completely organic supplement for nitrogen, potassium, phosporus, and other trace nutrients! The web is full of hints on how to best put this to use, either directly on growing plants or to assist composting where nitrogen is in short supply.
Good luck!

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Sustainable community living in inner SE Portland, Oregon
Experiments in sustainable urban living
 

[Stephanie Lucas]

Thanks Ole, I was thinking of the same thing.  If you’re hesitant to apply urine (diluted) directly on plants, consider putting it on your compost pile (especially if woody) to speed up the decomposition into humus.  I also have good luck with alfalfa meal, although not as immediate.

 

Stephanie