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seussking Saginaw, MI(Zone 5a) Jun 26, 2001

Can someone tell me what exactly is "organic material"? I keep reading I should add it, but what is it??
(sorry I'm new at this garden stuff)
Thanx!

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Lilith Durham, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Jun 26, 2001

anything that was once living, ie compost

lil

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Amaryllisgal High Springs, FL(Zone 8b) Jun 26, 2001

Let me add to Lilith's reply: For gardening purposes, only use plant materials for compost. (Even though a side of beef was once living, you don't want it as compost!)

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Zanymuse Scotia, CA(Zone 9b) Jun 26, 2001

There are also "green manure" crops that are grown to be tilled into the earth to add nutrients such as winter rye. They add organic matter and keep down the weeds during the off season months. I do not use them but I believe Dave and some of the others here have mentioned them in other threads.

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melody Benton, KY(Zone 7a) Jun 27, 2001

Shredded newspaper counts too.
Whatever you add,just make sure it isn't greasy..attracts critters.Any veggie matter,washed eggshells,grass clippings,
If it's pretty dense like corn stalks,you might want to chip it up with something...takes less time to decompose.

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dave Jun 27, 2001

I like using newspaper in my compost. What I do is go to our recycling center with a couple empty trashcans. The employees are only too happy to let me take all the newspaper I want.

Then I come home and tear the newspaper into 1 inch wide strips and add it to the grass clippings.

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MzMunchken Crestview, FL(Zone 7b) Jun 27, 2001

Removed by member request

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Zanymuse Scotia, CA(Zone 9b) Jun 27, 2001

Newspaper is just adding very fine wood pulp to your compost. Since the inks are vegetable inks it does not harm anything. Just do not add the slick colored pages that take too long to break down and often contain inks that are not safe.

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Lilith Durham, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Jun 27, 2001

i watched a tv prog the other day and it showed shop bought seedling cell pots, made out of thick paper. You just use fill em with the compost, plant your babies in em and when you need to plant em out you plant the whole thing.. well he showed how to make your own using a thin tin can or jar and some newspaper. Fold some newspaper up and roll it round the jar, tucking the edges into the neck of the jar to make the bottom of the paper plant pot. Stick a staple in to seal it at the open end and you're away. very eco-friendly and gives the plants a hearty meal too!

lil

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