How to make Kudzu Compost
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Folks, Kudzu, a legume vine, is rich in nitrogen, and acts as a turbo booster to heat up my compost pile. I add a batch every couple of weeks, turn well, and let it steam. Here is a photo essay on how to make it.
The six steps are: 1. Get your harvesting tool, and go cut some kudzu. Cut vines and leaves. Watch for snakes and bugs - both love the kudzu. The vine is easy to cut, and has no hairs or thorns to bother you. DON'T USE KUDZU THAT HAS BEEN SPRAYED WITH A HERBICIDE! 2. Get you a big pile of the leaves and vines. I use about 4-5 bushels at a time. 3. Mulch the kudzu in a shredder. I use a Craftsman chipper. Make sure you shred it well - it will want to revive and grow again if you don't. 4. The shredded kudzu - ready to compost. 5. Put it on your compost pile and mix it in. I add a little water to wet it at this stage. Not too much, just wet. 6. Sit back and wait for the heat. |
As a native Atlantan, this caught my eye. What a great use for kudzu!!!
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Have you had a chance to use this Kudzu compost yet? Theoretically it should be extra rich in trace minerals since kudzu is deep rooted. But have you tried it yet?
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[URL]http://home.comcast.net/~pobrien48/Tomatoes_World_Record.htm[/URL] Saw this about a year ago.Under food and water paragraph he states.[SIZE=4]Shredded [COLOR=green]kudzu[/COLOR] is a key [COLOR=green]ingre[/COLOR][COLOR=black]dient in Mr. Wilber's remarkable recipe[/COLOR][/SIZE]
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[QUOTE=kurt;364314][URL]http://home.comcast.net/~pobrien48/Tomatoes_World_Record.htm[/URL] Saw this about a year ago.Under food and water paragraph he states.[SIZE=4]Shredded [COLOR=green]kudzu[/COLOR] is a key [COLOR=green]ingre[/COLOR][COLOR=black]dient in Mr. Wilber's remarkable recipe[/COLOR][/SIZE][/QUOTE]
Bingo! I found it! [QUOTE]Shredded kudzu is a key ingredient in Mr. Wilber's remarkable recipe. [/QUOTE] So I guess it is more than just theoretical!:yes: Kudzu is a great compost ingredient! Thanks for that Scott. You found the perfect use for an invasive weed.:yes: Or I guess Wilber did.:P PS. Please keep us informed as to your personal results. |
[QUOTE=Redbaron;364287]Have you had a chance to use this Kudzu compost yet? Theoretically it should be extra rich in trace minerals since kudzu is deep rooted. But have you tried it yet?[/QUOTE]
Not yet - but I am starting some pots today for tomatoes, eggplants, and herbs, and I will use this compost, using Tania's container soil recipe which she kindly posted here [url]http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=29166&page=2[/url] The problem I have is that large volumes of material compost down to small amounts of compost - I need to step up my composting if I am to have enough to dress my raised beds with 2 inches of compost this fall. |
[QUOTE=ScottinAtlanta;364399]Not yet - but I am starting some pots today for tomatoes, eggplants, and herbs, and I will use this compost, using Tania's container soil recipe which she kindly posted here [url]http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=29166&page=2[/url]
The problem I have is that large volumes of material compost down to small amounts of compost - I need to step up my composting if I am to have enough to dress my raised beds with 2 inches of compost this fall.[/QUOTE] One trick to boost up the volume for fall is tree leaves. They don't have to be "cooked" like other materials and leave more bulk after finished. So what I typically do is chop up leaves and mix it with my normal compost or just layer it directly on my beds. Whichever you prefer. |
Scott, would you suggest to use grass cuttings as well?
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[QUOTE=efisakov;364435]Scott, would you suggest to use to use grass cuttings as well?[/QUOTE]
There are 2 Scotts posting here! :)) But if you are asking me.....my primary compost material is grass clippings. I don't have Kudzu to use. The problem with grass clippings is what Scott from Atlanta mentioned. ie they compost down to almost nothing. I basically use grass clippings and kitchen scraps and some horse manure to make compost, usually in a pile right in the garden. If not directly in the garden, then right beside the garden and I extend the garden over that area the following year. For the first year I have quite a large pile of free bark from a cottonwood tree which I will chop up and use too. But in fall I use a lot of chopped leaves to either mix with the compost and/or a layer over the garden. I have used both methods and both work fine. It is hard to tell for sure which may be best. Both work. |
I am sure this works but after living in the South all my life and seeing cudzu gone wild...I would never bring any form of it on my farm.
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[QUOTE=Redbaron;364442]There are 2 Scotts posting here! :)) But if you are asking me.....my primary compost material is grass clippings. I don't have Kudzu to use. The problem with grass clippings is what Scott from Atlanta mentioned. ie they compost down to almost nothing.
I basically use grass clippings and kitchen scraps and some horse manure to make compost, usually in a pile right in the garden. If not directly in the garden, then right beside the garden and I extend the garden over that area the following year. For the first year I have quite a large pile of free bark from a cottonwood tree which I will chop up and use too. But in fall I use a lot of chopped leaves to either mix with the compost and/or a layer over the garden. I have used both methods and both work fine. It is hard to tell for sure which may be best. Both work.[/QUOTE] Thanks, Scott. |
Well what do you know!?!?!? A use for it!! lol
I've seen it in action, and man can it take over quickly!! Seemed like feet a day! Nice to know!! I'll be on the look out for some now but will NEVER let it grow near my house!! lol Greg |
To have a kudzu in your yard is a headache, but it helps with headache too (has medicinal use).:lol:
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Wow, finally a good use for that dreaded "vine that ate the south". Funny story - about eighteen years ago when we first moved into our home there was a utility pole with guy wires in our yard. A vine was growing on the guy wire. I had no idea what I was doing and I used some of the stems as small plant stakes. Yep. It was Kudzu. I kept after it for a few seasons and managed to eradicate most of it.
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I also eat fried kudzu leaves. They have a beany taste. Odd, I know, but I see no reason not to use our bountiful natural resources.
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