Ask question on fertilizeer. 16-8-16 means 16% Nitrogen, 8% Phosphorus , 16% Potasium (NPK)- correct? Now if I have a 5-3-4 organic fertilizer, and I double the amount (weight) I use do I end up with 10-6-8? I am going to try and stay 'organic', so I was wondering if I use Pro-Gro organic fertilizer and add the Micro-Nutrients mix, will this be better for my soil?

At my old house I had more leaves and grass clippings to compost with. At the new house, I may have to import leaves from the town dump. I just found out that town has a compost area. Now I need to see if residents can use that compost.

Look up Miracle Grow and see what it is made of. I did - it is bad stuff for soil.

Ammonium phosphate is a nitrogen fertilizer used in Miracle Grow which makes soil acid and is harmful to soil organisms

Do not use sodium nitrate or potassium chloride in gardens.

Cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc—can be applied to correct a deficiency provided that they are from sulfate, carbonate, oxide, or silicate sources.

Nitrate and chloride forms of these micronutrients are explicitly prohibited.

The Numbers on the Bag

On a fertilizer bag, you will find three or four numbers with hyphens separating them. The numbers indicate, in order, the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium or potash (K), and sulfur (S) - the letters in parentheses are the chemical symbols for the elements. Here are some common fertilizers and the proportion of the elements they contain.

Percentage of N P K S

So, a 25-kg bag of 16-20-0-14 would provide (16/100 X 25 =) 4 kg of nitrogen, (20/100 X 25=) 5 kg of phosphorus, no potash, and (14/100 X 25 =) 3.5 kg of of sulfur. A 25 kg. bag of 34- 0-0 would supply 34/100 X 25 =) 8.5 kg of nitrogen but no other elements. A "complete" fertilizer contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash. If one of these three elements is missing, the fertilizer is not "complete."

Look at those composting drums that you turn to make compost quickly.

eToys book on growing a garden - raised beds, composting, transplanting seedlings, animated vegetable growing from seed,

If you opt to fertilize organically, on the other hand, all you have to do is mix a ½-inch layer of grass clippings into your beds before each crop. As the grass decomposes, it will improve your soil’s texture and stimulate microbial life and help prevent disease, all while releasing plenty of nutrients to feed your plants.

Compost is best always. Synthetic fertilizers all leave a salt residue and only feed the plant, not the soil. If you feed the soil, you will never have to feed your plants. Anything that composts (leaves, grass clippings, hay, garbage) will build up your soil and you will never have to buy any sort of fertilizer.

Exclusive use of miracle gro or peters will increase salts and shock plants

Pro-gro website with articles.

Pro-gro Mass retailers.

I found 1x8x 16' fascia boards for $5 each at Home Depot. I can paint these with exterior house paint and use them for the sides of the gardening beds. I can also use them to rebuild Jeannie's wheel barrow. Jeavon's beds are 100 sq ft(typically 5'x 20'). I can also use pvc conduit & plastic to make a mini green house over the beds. For geese prevention, I can tie 2 or 3 rows of twine along the sides.

http://www.pvcplans.com/row.cover.plans.htm

Dawn redwood supplier

Golden delicious semi dwarf apple tree.

Macintosh semi dwarf apple tree - need 2 trees for pollination.

Good basic info on growing fruit trees.

Funny commentary on pruning fruit trees.

Fruit gardening guide

My first garden

Worms in garden

Vegetables to grow:

• corn
• tomatos
• beans
• bush peas
• lettuce
• spinach
• carrots
• radishes
• squash

Frost Worcester,MA, growing season 172 days, average last frost Apr. 27, first frost Oct. 17

Composting info