Very GREEN (Imma Newbie)

[mysthomas]

Hey yall. I'm new to this site and gardening in general. I was hoping to start some composting this fall and winter to begin a new raised garden in the spring. I have four chickens and would like to incorporate some of their...natural fertilizer into my garden. I don't know the best way to start a compost pile and would like to know. Also, my yard is FULL OF ANTS. Is there a product that I could use to knock some of them down without harming my feathered friends and future foodstuffs. Also, what is the best way to start seedlings. I live in Dallas Tx and my soil condition is poor (ie..raised bed gardens). Any advice you guys could give would be wonderful. Believe my my expectations are low so ANY help would be appreciated.

 

[hoodat]

Do you use any litter like straw for your chickens? Litter with some chicken manure in it is an ideal mix and should compost easily. By Spring it should be broken down pretty well. A larger pile is easier to get to heat up. it's best to confine it in some way. I use concrete blocks stacked up without mortar to make a bin.
Ants are always a problem. If they are the type attracted to sugar you can mix one part dry boric acid to five parts sugar. The boric acid is poisonous to them but harmless to any animal that may eat it.

 

[freemotion]

If you can put your compost pile (well contained) where your chickens have access to it, they will turn it and it will break down much faster. Also, ask your neighbors for grass clippings, leaves, weeds, etc....anything you can add to your compost pile. My neighbors leave their full wheelbarrow on my driveway, and I LOVE it, and so do they!

Unless your compost is contained by solid walls, you will have to rake it back into a pile often when the hens scratch it all over, but it is worth the trouble. It will be the finest black compost you have ever seen when you let them work it for you.

 

[schmije]

I heard that ants can't digest cornmeal, so if you leave little piles where you see them, they'll eat it and die. Does anybody know if this is true?

Seedlings work great in the little starter containers that you can buy at any home improvement or farm supply store. Keep them moist, but not drowning, and put them in a sunny window. A little water every day or two is better than a lot of water once a week. Read the seed packages to know how soon before the last frost date to start them. It'll take some practice, and you'll lose some, but that's all part of gardening. Good luck!