Q: Hello, I am a home gardener that recently set up a simple three-sided compost bin made out of wood pallets. I have been putting in my leaf debris, grass clippings, chicken feathers, and home fruit/vegetable scraps. I was ...
Q: We have a large walnut tree and would like to compost the leaves for our vegetable garden. I have read conflicting reports about the ability of composting to break down the toxin juglone. Is it safe to compost these leaves?
Q: I barbecue a lot, and wind up having to dispose of ash leftover from hardwood charcoal (no “briquettes”). Can I put it in my compost and or worm bin? How about on my vegetable garden or flowerbeds?
Q: Once or twice a summer I treat my lawn with weed & feed and spray on weed killer for lawns. Is it safe to use compost made from the lawn clippings? How long should I reasonably wait to use clippings for compost, and is it safe to use the compost in my veggie garden the following summer?
Q: I'm composting on site and wondering how concerned I should be about adding the grass clippings. Is there a weed killer that I could use that is safe to compost for a food garden? I’ve been looking into a vinegar/dish soap mix.
The philosophy for this online source is to provide the home gardener with OSU publications, research, and news items that are related to the home orchard and garden.
Q: After pulling out plants from summer garden what procedure is necessary for prepping them for my compost pile. Also can I use stems and limbs in the pile. I do not have a shredder yet. Not sure I need to buy one.
The OSU Dry Farming Project continues as the go-to resource for dry farming and model for participatory climate adaptation research as growers throughout the West continue to feel the impacts of drought and seek alternatives to unreliable summer irrigation.