The Word on Worms and Septic Tanks
(Page 4 of 4)
February/March 2001
By Don and Angie
Don't let washwater run off your land, especially if it will end up in a canal or other waterway where it can feed a bright-green algae bloom and upset the natural water flora. It's best to run water onto soil that's been amply aerated so that it will sink in quickly. And don't be tempted to use a soaker hose. As we found the hard way, soap scum can quickly clog the pores in soaker hoses.
RELATED CONTENT
Lifestyles Food Digest...
UN food agency says 1 billion people hungry, poor paying more for food despite recession...
Here’s a new way to bring together coalitions that are working toward the promotion of locally grow...
With increased interest in organic and hormone-free milk comes a need for help in identifying the c...
Food Co-ops: Good Food and Good Prices September/October 1979 A "New Wave" of grocery outlets can g...
For additional information on this topic, including suggestions from several folks in dry country who collect rain- and wastewater in a variety of containers, visit www.motherearthnews.com .
I am a new urban gardener and have received conflicting advice about compost. Why is it better to compost my grass and garden waste in a pile rather than give it to my chickens? The chickens will eat anything in my compost pile and break it down faster. I might still have to wait six months to a year to use it, but it takes up less space and could save me money on the cost of feed.
WADE ALDERSON
Citrus Heights, California
It sounds as though you've been exposed to the great "make compost in only 14 days" mystique that serves mainly to sell compost starters, compost thermometers, expensive compost bins, pitchforks and revolving-drum compost makers. By all means, feed all of your yard and garden waste - including new-fallen leaves - to your chickens. Feel free to give them kitchen scraps too, but not meat or fish, which will rot, stink and attract flies ...and worse. Avoid feeding your chickens onion and garlic trimmings, too - they can give eggs an unsavory flavor. Letting your birds do the composting works as well for them as for you: It provides the birds with hours of entertainment, fresh vitamins and nutrients and a lot of healthful bulk. Plus, you will save money on dry feed and the cost of commercial composting products. In addition, what your chickens don't eat will be scratched into hen house litter or outdoor yard/pen mulch, and this will contribute to the eventual garden-fertilizer value of these materials.
Page:
<< Previous 1 |
2 |
3 | 4 |
