Cook 'weedy' soil?

Goldfinger · « **Reply #15 on:** March 30, 2012, 21:34 »

I wonder if it'll still work if I use a 45 gallon drum cut 'BBQ' style?

Keeps the fire contained, as we have nearly all the allotment prepared for growing now.

goodtogrow · « **Reply #16 on:** April 01, 2012, 20:45 »

Just a thought, I read somewhere about 'cooking' soil with the heat of the sun by covering it in clear plastic, and watering it. If air can get in at the bottom of the pile then it should reach the sort of temperatures, and more, that composting can get to, but this type of 'solar sterilizing' sounds more certain than ordinary composting. Any thoughts on this before I give it a go myself?

Yorkie · « **Reply #17 on:** April 01, 2012, 21:18 »

I'm not convinced we have the right conditions here for that to be at all a reliable plan, GTG

snowdrops · « **Reply #18 on:** April 02, 2012, 03:16 »

Quote from: snowdrops on March 30, 2012, 21:22

Did for me too

Back in November I did something like this with the new plot I'm clearing, I got a good wood fire burning & then towards the end of the day when I needed to put it out (we have to at 5pm )I covered it with the soil that was rife with weeds from some raised beds that we had dismantled.
I have yet to dig through the soil to see what has happened but am due to do that tomorrow so will report back

The mound did get dug out but not by me so I'm sorry I can't say what it was like.

daveylamp · « **Reply #19 on:** April 02, 2012, 08:58 »

go for it goldfinger
I do at least 4cwt every year also empty compost bin to sterilize it. works fine no need for jeyes fluid as the steam generated from soil does the job.

VegGirl7 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 02, 2012, 09:20 »

might have to give this a go myself - there ~~were~~ are so many perennial weeds on my plot I've given up trying to sort it all before chucking on the heap...

and I'm accumulation a few piles of clay as I work my way through the excavation process so may be able to kill 2 birds with one stone

potatogrower · « **Reply #21 on:** April 02, 2012, 11:33 »

if you haven't got a drum then dig a hole in the ground about 6 inches deep or more and start a fire in there. just means giving up a small part of the plot.

Goldfinger · « **Reply #22 on:** April 02, 2012, 17:52 »

We have a problem.....

We're not allowed fires after 1st of April.

Guess I'll have to 'bag it and stack it' until the back end of the year when we're allowed fires again.

Unless.....

If I'm doing it in/over a drum, I could use the excuse of 'I'm having a BBQ'

A Reyt Tayty · « **Reply #23 on:** April 02, 2012, 20:07 »

On a smaller scale, I've been known to microwave compost before planting seeds.

goodtogrow · « **Reply #24 on:** April 07, 2012, 09:45 »

Yorkie, am gonna give 'solar sterilizing' a try anyway. I live in the sunny South!

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Cook 'weedy' soil?

Goldfinger

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goodtogrow

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Yorkie

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snowdrops

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daveylamp

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VegGirl7

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potatogrower

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Goldfinger

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A Reyt Tayty

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goodtogrow

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