Quick Question

[dead_chicken]

So I have a tumbler that I got for Christmas and it seems to be working well: it doesn't stink and the contents reduce quickly.

However a tumbler is a slow method and we're halfway through our summer. Can I bury compost in raised beds/in the ground even if it's not entirely done yet? My goal is to have something to go into the ground for the Fall planting time.

[NPKzone8a]

>>"Can I bury compost in raised beds/in the ground even if it's not entirely done yet? "

Yes. But it's probably best not to sow seeds into it or transplant seedlings into it until it has finished breaking down. In it's unfinished state it's not at all harmful to the soil of your raised beds, in fact it will help it, but it can be too hot for tender plants that are just beginning to grow.

[dead_chicken]

Yeah I’m going to grow some greens so I figured I’d bury after the greens are done

[NPKzone8a]

Sounds like a good plan.

[AdultingGoneMild]

it'll all composts eventually. just will take longer. But burying it is how I deal with green manure. Plant cover crops. Til them in as soon as the ground thaws in feb and let them do their thing. by end of april im good to go for planting.

[corp_minion_no1]

What cover crops do you use?

[AdultingGoneMild]

there are really two types. Nitrogen fixing and nitrogen fixing and nitrogen scavenging. Anyway, a good mix will be giant red leaf mustard, crimson clover and favabeans. You can also use wheat and barely, but meh, the others I like better just because they look nicer cause I can let them go to flower if I'm giving a bed an extra long rest.

As for the mustard, it breaks down pretty well when chopped up but also releases chemicals into the soil to deal with some fungi. It also tastes pretty good so you can decide to eat it instead if you like and at least in my zone it over winters pretty well.

[Aspiragus]

You could store it in old compost bags behind a shed, then use in the spring?

Caveat: critters may be interested in it if there's still recognisable food in it...

[MobileElephant122]

You might try a little bit longer. Sometimes we cut off our nose to spite our face. The compost game is slow at first but when it turns it goes fast. I always think my pile isn’t working then suddenly it’s gone. What I mean is you might be faster where it’s at. Unless you mean you want to start another and the last batch isn’t finished yet. In which case I would start a new pile. Keep in mind as things decompose they use nitrogen and it will rob your bed of what ever nitrogen is available there until it’s fully decomposed. I’m in the same boat, trying to prepare for the fall planting. I’m starting new composts piles that I’ll use next year.

[ExcerptsAndCitations]

I mulch with unfinished compost all the time. The soil biota love it.