In article ,
"David Hare-Scott" wrote:

Snag wrote:
"Ecnerwal" wrote in
message
...
In article , "Snag"
wrote:

For one thing , I want to plant something as "green mulch"
this fall to be tilled in to help increase the organic content of
this soil

If looking around for ideas, "green manure" is the more common term.

I personally favor things that will winter-kill - does mean it has
to go in early enough to get established and grow before it's
killed, but it also means it's not coming back from the dead in
spring when you try to till it in. Builds some fertility, and holds
soil through the winter so you don't lose it. Some things that will
grow through winter might be less prone to coming back when
plowed/tilled - check with the extension agent or other local
growers for ideas to suit your climate. If you can give a section of
garden (or "a part of your rotation") over to growing green manure
through the growing season, your options increase. If you have a truck or
trailer, also keep an eye out for horse
people, and brown manure. Most of them don't have a spreading plan,
so they get piles. Best bet is to re-pile at your place and see what
the weed content is like, while giving the pile a few turns (inside
to outside, outside to inside) to try and do in the weeds. If the
pile is uphill of the garden, so much the better (runoff/leachate
gets into the garden.) Then spread it. If you get on a regular
collection run, it is a far faster way to build fertility than green
manuring.

Chicken houses abound around here ... not so many cattle operations
, but there are a couple of horses-for-hire places .

Chicken is good for adding nutrients particularly N and P but not so good as
a soil conditioner to add organic matter.

Might be a good
pace to start , if someone else hasn't already got a deal with the
owners . My only problem with composting is a shortage of green stuff
to add to the pile .

You don't need to add anything. The nuggets will break down to a soft
fibrous bulk with very little odour. Horse is one of the least offensive
manures that needs the least processing or care in its use. Many people
over-think this composting business and make work for themselves. You can
put horse pucks straight on to mature shrubs (for example) hot out of the
beast. Unless you know the provenance of it a test for viable seeds is in
order first as stabled horses can be fed whole grains (but not necessarily)
as part of their diet where some grain can survive their chewing and
digestion. If there is viable seed and you don't want (say) oats to sprout
you will have to partially compost it. If it is damp and the weather is
mild the seeds will sprout and be killed off as you turn it.

David

All manure from herbivores is good. Chicken, and rabbit seem to be the
best for both nitrogen, and phosphates.

To add vegetative (as opposed to fecal) organic material to your soil
(roots) try rye, or buckwheat. For nitrogen, plant legumes or clover.

I'd recommend that you don't till your garden, except in its first year.
Tilling accelerates the loss of organic material (OG) from your soil. OG
holds moisture. Tilling kills earthworms which aerate and fertilize your
soil. Lastly, tilling destroys mycorrhizae fungi, which transport
nutrients to the plants in your garden bed.
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