@cowrita1 - I've read it before, and I'm careful about not putting iris parts into my compost, but why is that? What is wrong with iris parts?

If, for example, you have leaf spot, and 'compost" the remains...you just spread the fungus when you spread the compost. Borer eggs, and other "pests" can "travel" that way, as well. If you "hot compost, I would imagine that most, if not all the 'pests" would be eliminated.

I add alfalfa pellets, ground limestone, peat moss and other limited additives. Most kitchen waste is acidic, as is peat moss. I am not doing it to make a rich soil but to loosen it.
Found a children's therapy place nearby that has several horses. I have no idea if they use the manure or have a contract to dispose of it, but am checking. Thanks for ideas.
In my old neighborhood several bagged their lawn clippings. I usually took a bag or two on trash night every week or so [if it had not been sitting in the sun for a week to mold]; contents were then used as mulch and also worked into the soil. This new neighborhood has mostly non-baggers but lots of weed seeds in the bags when they are used, so I avoid them here.

Another reason you don't want to use Iris waste parts is they turn into a slimy substance that really stinks. I have a pile of discarded fans in the far corner of my yard and it smells pretty bad. A good compost pile shouldn't smell. Another sign of a good compost pile is the presence of worms. The more worms, the better.

Great thoughts on what to avoid in my compost...and, most importantly, why to avoid it! Thanks!

Got two front-end loader scoops of the builder's top soil, as he calls it. And found a source for raw horse manure just about 2-3 miles away at that children's therapy place. So on a roll, but it is too hot to do much now.

Sounds awesome, Dave! Even if you can't do much with it now, you've got a plan!

Did get about 1/4 of the dirt moved to various ruts, ditches and settlement spots around my house and daughter's next door plus a little spread to low spots in the beds. Watered the newbie ones. Then quit. Too hot and humid, no rain in forecast, not a cloud in the sky here and only in low 90's [but forecaster says it feels like 88, huh? How's that work?].

DaveinPA said:Did get about 1/4 of the dirt moved to various ruts, ditches and settlement spots around my house and daughter's next door plus a little spread to low spots in the beds. Watered the newbie ones. Then quit. Too hot and humid, no rain in forecast, not a cloud in the sky here and only in low 90's [but forecaster says it feels like 88, huh? How's that work?].

That definitely sounds like an entire day's work (and a crazy forecaster)!!

Have to plan an area to put the raw horse manure, but first have to buy a large trash can or two with tight lids to haul it. Then will layer the manure and put some of this builder top soil over it. After it overwinters will do some mixing and should have some good stuff to spread around. Might have some good weed killer if I use the raw stuff right on a weedy area.

Either a good weed killer or weeds are so tough it might be great fertilizer

Dave, if they use wood chips for bedding like many horse people do, it takes more then a year to get that broken down. I let mine cure for about 4 years. Two would do, but I want it broken down to black dirt. You could possibly speed it up a bit by keeping it moist and covering it with a black tarp, turning it every few months.

When I toured the place I think I saw straw rather than the chips; sure hope so. Thanks, will be on the lookout for what will work with what they have.

I live in a hi altitude mtn area where the soil is mostly sand and silt. Soil holds little moisture. any ideas on how to add a bit of clay?

bbwyo,
I would add compost.

bbwyo, I agree. Compost will help your soil retain moisture. You may want to mulch in your area some too if it's dry.

you need humus, more than clay, IMHO.

When you mix sand and clay you get concrete!

Welcome. I'd agree with the addition of organic material-compost. Clay will make things worse, but compost holds moisture. Top dressing with mulch will help to retain moisture, but go easy around bearded iris rhizomes as they do not like to be continually damp [which = rot].

You mix miracle gro with soil and compost? I don't understand the proportions.

creativeclover said:

I use miracle grow. If I remember right its marked for flowering plants. Than I mix it 65% soil, 35% compost and then make the beds with that, and after I plant I go back over with the pieces I took out of the alpaca tea and cover the bed with with it. So far its worked good. I do need to get a good overall fertilizer though.

What do the rest of you use as a good overall fertilizer?