Food Trench

[MikeB]

Following the advice given at the end of last year, I've created a food trench for my runner & french beans.  The question now is when do I stop putting kitchen waste into the trench?

[MikeB]

[Hyacinth]

When it's the height you want, Mike!  I've just finished a new trench - bottom layer of 6'6'' x 4' (approx) trench = kitchen waste + bagged soft garden waste from last autumn - layer of soil - repeat, etc. til the trench is full & topped with remaining soil. Bit like assembling a lasagne, really ;D Remember that shredded newspaper can get mixed in with the waste layer, too.

Lishka

[MikeB]

Thanks Lishka,

I've incorporated shedded newspaper as well, I guess the query is really on the lines that I expect the kitchen waste to rot down, so when should I stop putting raw waste in.  I'm worrying that it might be in the category of fresh manure/well rotted manure, ones good, the other!!

[Curryandchips]

Yes, that is a bit like guessing the length of a piece of string. Considering your beans will be going in about mid may, I would suggest that now is a good time to stop adding fresh ingredients? You could always put them nearby, to continue to rot, using them as a mulch as the heat of the summer approaches ...

[Hyacinth]

A handful of Garotta helps, Mike & the covering layer of soil helps it all along. If you're really concerned, cover over the trench with black plastic as you fill it. It'll be OK - Trust me ::)

[MikeB]

O.K. will do

[gardening giraffe]

What kind of waste do you put in??? its my first time at growing them this year!! havent dug any trenches etc, am I too late to do so  :o  :o

[Hyacinth]

Hello GG,

my new trenches go down 2 spits because my soil is so bad - heavy clay with a good proportion of it pre-formed into half house bricks :(),.It's heavy going but only needs to be done once. In subsequent years I'll possible enrich by top dressing with w/rotted, digging down a spit & putting in general waste about every 3rd year.

The kitchen waste we're talking about is, simply, vegetable/fruit peelings.It's possible to bulk them up with shredded newspaper, grass cuttings (if no chemicals have been used on the grass) + soft garden clippings.

Is it too late? Just wondering how many veg.peelings etc. your kitchen's going to generate for a trench this year? I'd say, tho, that preparing a trench now & incorporating any soft vegetation you can lay your hands on, layered between soil + a handful of garotta to speed up decomposition will be beneficial. OR, how about digging in some w/rotted horse manure this year and open up another 'working' trench for next? OR, if you don't want to dig 2 trenches now, you could go my way perhaps during the summer.....collecting soft waste in black bags + a bit of soil, tied up with holes punched in them & stacked somewhere in the sun to dig in in the autumn.

OK?

Cheers! Lishka

[Debs]

...what else could be grown using this trench method?

I usually collect kitchen waste and put it in a big plastic bag.

I can generate quite a bit especially if i asked mum & sis to collect bits,

as they live close by.

Debs

[Hyacinth]

Debs, it's a good way of getting any old sterile ground back into good heart. I had to trench ALL of the garden I now use for vegetables, as it was v. heavy compacted clay + roots from various trees and old hawthorne bushes around. No worms to be seen!  Now it's good productive soil. Damned hard to do at the time but well worth it. Grow ace bush tomatoes in it, too.

Regards, Lishka

[petuariapete]

It's possible to bulk them up with shredded newspaper, grass cuttings (if no chemicals have been used on the grass) + soft garden clippings.

Any chemicals in the shredded newspaper that could spoil the 'organic' ethos?

Our local council have just introduced green/blue bins so my old black plaggy one is basically redundant. Punching a few holes in the bottom and sides will be ideal for composting kitchen waste.

[Hyacinth]

Believe that one doesn't compost shiny coloured paper, ie magazines?, but ordinary newspaper's OK.....well, if it's good enough for Bob Flowerdew it's good enough for me :)

[Debs]

Debs, it's a good way of getting any old sterile ground back into good heart. I had to trench ALL of the garden I now use for vegetables, as it was v. heavy compacted clay + roots from various trees and old hawthorne bushes around. No worms to be seen!  Now it's good productive soil. Damned hard to do at the time but well worth it. Grow ace bush tomatoes in it, too.

Regards, Lishka

Ace bush tomatoes?

May well grow my italia plum toms using this method.