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Does Mel's mix last forever or turn hard like cement?
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Posted by fernwoods PA (My Page) on Sun, Nov 1, 09 at 1:07
| I built my raised beds last fall with 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 peat moss and 1/3 mushroom compost.
Some vegetables did great but others were too much leaf and not enough food.
I called the extension service about how to correct this, which I think is too much nitrogen from the horse manure.
The person there said they don't recommend vermiculite because as it gets old it gets like cement.
So I was wondering if anyone has had this problem or if it lasts well if you keep adding compost?
Someone else told me mushroom compost causes the too much leaf problem the 1st year, but by the 2nd year, everything does great. Has anyone else had this experience?
How much new compost should I add each year?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Karen |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Does Mel's mix last forever or turn hard like cement?
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| I have never heard that vermiculite turns to concrete, but as my sft beds are only a year old, I can't speak with experience. I did a search on the forum and didn't turn up anything that would confirm, either. |
Here is a link that might be useful: my garden page.
RE: Does Mel's mix last forever or turn hard like cement?
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| fernwood; I would go to your library and check out Mel Bartholomew's book New Square Foot Gardening. He explains the mix quite well. Then explains about how much compost to add and when. Curt:) |
RE: Does Mel's mix last forever or turn hard like cement?
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Nothing organic lasts forever, but I've never heard of it turning into cement. Mel recommends adding new organic matter every time you remove one crop and plant a new one, so, theoretically, it shouldn't have a chance to turn to cement. The extension agent may have been referring to the peat, which can get as hard as cement if it dries out too much, though.
And too much nitrogen will indeed cause big leafy wonderful-looking plants, but not much fruit. Could be the mushroom compost, so maybe you should add a bit less of it and more peat or use some other kind of compost in combo with the mushroom compost. |
RE: Does Mel's mix last forever or turn hard like cement?
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| The person there said they don't recommend vermiculite because as it gets old it gets like cement. If you call that office again, you may want to talk to a different agent for advice. Dan |
RE: Does Mel's mix last forever or turn hard like cement?
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| Also remember that Mel specifies a compost BLEND, meaning using several different sources of compost because one source may not have enough nutrients. So I would add other sources of compost to your mix. I've never heard of vermiculite getting hard. I know it breaks down with age which is why Mel recommends that you start with coarse. Cassie |
RE: Does Mel's mix last forever or turn hard like cement?
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| My beds are not old enough for me to say from personal experience, but I have never read any complaint of vermiculite hardening over time. I have seen some people report a bad experience with peat with regard to hardening. Because of that and/or because peat can be considered unsustainable, some recommend coconut coir as an alternative to the peat. I agree that you should add other types of compost to diversify the available nutrients. |
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