Compost pile

I started a compost pile in the little rock garden area by the Julie mango tree. I am essentially using the fallen starch mangoes as the green. It is covered with one of the old blue tarps. Just added another layer and included some of the vines growing on the retaining wall. Looking at the fallen mangoes and vines as composting resources certainly makes the mindset different when picking them up.

Making new ollas

This morning I started the process of making some new ollas - the next batch of grow bags are here. In a few of them I used a 1 cent piece to cover the hole at the pot base - a little silicone around the base inside then flex seal on the outside.
After making up the bases a thought hit me - could the copper cause toxicity? Looked it up and it is a thing, so I will also now cover the coins on the inside with some flex seal.

Came up with a different method that does not require fixing anything on the inside when blocking the hole - I just used some electrical tape then applied the flex seal on the outside. May then also remove the tape and apply another layer on the inside. Hope it will have the mechanical strength.

More bags

ordered some more grow bags yesterday - 2, 3 and 5 gal. The 10 gal is pretty large so will try some of the tomatoes in the 5 gal. Also ordered some more irrigation fittings - got 1/4 inch tubing at Peake's a t good price, last 50 ft roll

More transplanting

Transplanted into 4 more grow bags today - all 2 gal bags with small ollas
Bag #s 6-8, pak choi; bag 9 okra from the second batch - no lost leaves.
Also topped up all the ollas from yesterday's transplanting

Post Carnival restart

Getting back into things after the carnival period. Made up a few ollas in the last couple days, including a new design with a single pot and saucer - no bottom hole to block. The white silicone is easier to see when working so I will stick with that. Used electrical tape to hold the 2 irrigation tubes together, then silicone, then flex seal.

Did some transplanting today - need to get some more grow bags. Also need soil / soil mix. I transplanted in a mix of about 40% top soil, 40% soil mix and 10% potting mix. 2 bags will do about 5 of the 3 gallon grow bags.

Another compost layer

Chopped down one of the bushes by the back sink, cut it up a bit more with the cutlass, added some kitchen scraps then made another layer.

Compost turn

Added a little more frozen green to the pile and turned it for the first time - there is some evidence of decomposition. The cardboard I was using as a cover had blown off and the pile was pretty dry. Added some water and re-covered.