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Compost is alive!

6/25/2013

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You might become concerned, or possibly even grossed out, if you discover "large maggots" thriving in your compost pile. But, don't worry, you're just reaping the benefits of a valuable decomposer of organic matter, Soldier Fly larvae (or Black Soldier Fly larvae).
Soldier Fly larvae are about an inch long and are white-ish to dark brown in color. They are typically very active in the compost pile and thrive on moist nitrogen-rich materials such as vegetable and fruit scraps. If you have a large number of Soldier Fly larvae in your compost, listen closely and you can hear the chorus of their collective "munching".

The Soldier Fly larvae are harmless in your compost pile; again, they are very beneficial in turning organic matter into "black gold" compost that you can use in your garden or landscape. Plus, the mature Soldier Fly will NOT be a pest or nuisance to you. Soldier Flies look like a small wasp, only live a couple of days, do NOT bite or sting, and do not carry disease; it's likely that you will never notice them.

To read more about the Soldier Fly and Solider Fly larvae, see this article by Carol Savonen, from the Oregon State University Extension web site.

blog entry by Mark Murphy, CMG
photo by Reggie Reeves, CMG
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Time to grow up

6/1/2013

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If you are anything like me, at this point in the growing season you realize that you bought entirely too many plants for the space you have available to plant them.  There may be more growing space than you think. The answer? Try growing some of your plants vertically. This converts the actual ground space a sprawling vine may take to just a couple of square inches instead and can be as simple as training vines onto upright supports. 
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Here are some of the basic consideration to keep in mind as you start growing up:

Soil:
Squeezing a few more plants into the same plot requires a little more attention to the soil on your part, because more plants means more nutritional demands on the soil. Don't forget to feed your plants.

Sun:
Situate crops so they get at least 6 hours of sunlight.  It is also important to always position vertical support structures to the north end of your space to avoid leaving other sun-loving plants in the shade.

Train Early and Often:
Just planting stakes next to your seedlings may not be enough.  Keep an eye on your support system.  It helps to check every few days to see if the vines need help to reach the next level of support. 

Blog by: Sabine Ehlers, CMG
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Programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource development. University of Tennessee Institute
of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments cooperating. UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment
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