Re: [compost_tea] Re: pre-activation results

From: Ted Peterson <ted.peterson_at_tcsn.net>
Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 17:16:28 -0700

Lawn grass, especially fresh grass doesn't break down as fast and when it d=
oes thermal bacteria are favored. This means higher temps and I have found=
, based on work done by the Lubecks and others, that lower temps using bact=
eria to control pathogens and turning a lot get a better, more diverse prod=
uct in the long run. I'm not totally against it but you want local fungi. =
 This is why you get the decomposing leaves and humus and add them to your =
compost. You then want an environment that promotes fungal growth not bact=
erial.

All the readings I have done and the posts on this list seem to direct towa=
rds the relative ease of multiplying bacteria and the relative diffiuclty o=
f growing fungi in the same environment. This process favors fungi. The b=
acteria will take care of itself.

 Sleeping snails. Well, I don't really know if they are sleeping but they =
are pretty inert. What you find is the snail all curled up in it's shell a=
ttached to something. When you pull them off, you can see the wetness of t=
he snail. If you mess with them, they get active. When they first start m=
oving at night, they evacutate their systems which it is best to gather the=
m right after they start moving in the evening. Seems like sleep to me.

Ted Peterson
EW/SOE



Received on Fri May 14 2004 - 21:21:31 EDT

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