Thanks to Reading Dirt, here are instructions to make a Homemade EarthBox(TM), which is a type of self-watering planter.
About Kathy Purdy
Kathy Purdy discovered the joys of writing in fourth grade, when she started corresponding with a former classmate. She's been writing letters ever since, first on looseleaf, then electronically, and now as weblog entries. That makes you, the blog reader, her pen pal. Her first independent (though frustrating) attempts at gardening were made in high school, though the gardening bug didn't bite hard until her mid-thirties, when she found herself mistress of a rural home on 15 acres. • USDA Hardiness Zone:4 • AHS Heat Zone: 3 • Location: rural; Southern Tier of NY • Geographic type: foothills of Appalachian Mountains • Soil Type: acid clay • Experience level: intermediate • Particular interests: colchicums, narcissus, cottage gardening, NY native plants, gardening with/for children
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for pointing us towards these fabulous and inexpensive EarthBoxes. I can’t wait to give them a try.
HI THERE, I LIVE IN MAINE AND I GO IN THE WOODS ALMOST EVERYDAY AND TRACK THE MOOSE AND PICK THE MANURE. I PUT IT IN MY COMPOST ALONG WITH COFFEE GROUNDS AND LOTS OF EARTHWORMS. NEXT MONTH WHEN I TURN OVER MY GARDEN I WILL USE IT FOR FERTILIZER. I ALSO MAKE A TEA OUT OF IT FOR MY FLOWER BEDS. MY MOOSE ARE EATING PINE BRANCHES, NEW BUDS & BRANCHES. IT IS TRUE THE MANURE BREAKS DOWN FAST AND THERE IS NO SMELL AT ALL.
Yes you can use it in the compost, as Rundy says. I’m not aware of any pests they carry locally, or diseases, that could transfer. I tend to just leave all that lie as it breaks down so quickly and isn’t smelly.
Come the day we get wasting disease here (mad cow of elk), I wouldn’t, you can’t kill prions. But so far we’re ok on that score.
Moose are herbivore. The end product should be no different in basic composition than using cow, horse, sheep, or goat manure. Since all of those are acceptable, moose manure is too.
At least, that is my reasoning.
I defer to Judy Miller.
Hi Kathy! Weird question, get ready….do you know if moose poop is OK for the compost bin? Not that I am going to follow her around with a bucket
but there is some in my yard right now. Thanks! -Betsy