[Arid_gardener] palo verde leaves as mulch

[Dick Gross]

An afterthought, Carolyn. 

Organic debris decomposed in the absense of air is termed anaerobic compost that has an horendous odor that would gag a magot. I tracked some in the house one time and my wife left. Now, I just keep a small amount of it handy for use as needed.

Either type, experts have assured me, will serve the horticultural purpose.

Aerobic compost is decomposition in the presence of abundant air and the odor is a pleasant aroma of fresh earth that creates a "high" in master gardeners. You can achieve it by frequently turning the mass with a soil fork while maintaining a moisture level about equivalent to a damp, not wet, sponge.

Dick Gross

BCC: VOSG; AZCRFG
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dick Gross 
  To: Carolyn Owens ; arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu 
  Sent: Friday, June 01, 2007 8:59 PM
  Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] palo verde leaves as mulch


  Carolyn, This is off the top of my head but, organic debris is not compost until it has been eaten by a soil organism, digested and processed through it's gut; a process that renders complex hydrocarbons to elements that can be re-adsorbed by feeder roots to produce new carbon compounds. Any portion or fragrament of the original organism that can as recognized  as a twig or leaf particle has not been composted. Decomposition is faster if the living organisms are fed a diet of nitrogen from a fertilizer or blended with greenery, each  high in nitrogen. Ammoniun  sulfate disolved and poured into a cold compost heap will cause it to heat up significantly from the digestive activity of the microscopic varmints chowing down on it. A compost pile also needs air so turn it at least weekly.

  Uncomposted organic debris blended with soil will--as decomposition proceeds, rob the soil of avaliable nitrogen leaving the plants struggling in that medium hungry and puny. 

  Shredded or finely ground organic debris placed on top of the soil as mulch will nourish beneficial soil organisms that feed off the interface. It will also conserve moisture but the mass isn't by any stretch of the imagination, finished compost. It is mulch.

  I have never knowingly added potentially poisonous plants like Oleander or Eucalyptus into my compost because I am simply uncomfortable with the practice but, theoretically, if all compounds are decomposed in the process, the posionous compounds would be rendered harmless. But, I said "theoretically". Don't take my word for it!

  Bottom line, composting is probably the most important activity for gardening in desert soil known most for the absence of organic compounds--one of the many things I believe I have learned from County Agent Terry Mikel.  

  Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
  University of Arizona Maricopa County
  Cooperative Extension

  ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Carolyn Owens 
    To: arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu 
    Sent: Friday, June 01, 2007 11:28 AM
    Subject: [Arid_gardener] palo verde leaves as mulch


    Hello!

     

    We have been discussing whether it is okay to use Palo Verde leaves as a mulch. We think they are okay to use in the compost pile if they are brown, but we're not sure. Are they all right as a mulch or too resinous? 

     

    Thanks for your help,  

     

    Carolyn Owens, Grant Development Associate

    Native Seeds/SEARCH

    cowens at nativeseeds.org

    526 N. 4th Ave.

    Tucson, AZ 85705

    Phone: 520-622-5561 or 622-0830

    Fax:  520-622-5591

     



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