[dr.gomonas]

I am moving to a house with a large backyard that has space for composting (and needs a lot of landscaping). I'd love to start composting to reduce my food waste and make some good fertilizer for plants. Is composting feasible in Vegas with the heat in the summer? I'm assuming that vermiculture wouldn't work, but does anyone have experience with that or other types here? I searched the forums and saw a couple people mention that they did, but no details.... Any info/guidance would be greatly appreciated!

[MomMom]

Originally Posted by dr.gomonas

I am moving to a house with a large backyard that has space for composting (and needs a lot of landscaping). I'd love to start composting to reduce my food waste and make some good fertilizer for plants. Is composting feasible in Vegas with the heat in the summer? I'm assuming that vermiculture wouldn't work, but does anyone have experience with that or other types here? I searched the forums and saw a couple people mention that they did, but no details.... Any info/guidance would be greatly appreciated!

We tried that quite a few years ago, in a little patch of dirt in the corner of the yard. Leaves, lawn clippings, coffee grounds, branches..no animal waste and no food items...

The pile of compost started to stink so bad in the high heat in summer, we got rid of it. It was in partial sunlight so I'm sure that didn't help either.

You can try it, but my experience with it was not good.

[desertsun41]

I never heard of anyone composting here. Usually you compost to achieve rich organic soil for a garden but you cant grow gardens here. If you are doing any balcany vegetable plants then just go buy a bag at the nursery. Its easier and dont stink like Momom said.

[jfkIII]

Comping...yes. Composting...no.

[MomMom]

DS...who said you can't have a vegetable garden here? I had a small vegetable garden for years...that's why I did the composting. I grew tomatoes, basil, mint, peppers and zucchini.

Man, talk about good tomatoes!

I didn't know what was more work though, keeping up with the garden or the compost pile...

My neighbor down the street has a garden, once in a while I get a few tomatoes from him and some fresh basil.

[airics]

a friend of mine in summerlin has a full blown garden like Ohio.. tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, basil, lettuce..

it's unreal.. would have never believed it..

and the fruit trees, las vegas peaches are phenomenal. she has peaches, nectarines, oranges, lemons, and limes.... Lots of them.

[MomMom]

Yes, absolutely airics. That's why I couldn't understand why DS stated that you can't garden in Las Vegas

A veggie garden takes work, and you have to be really careful about keeping everything well watered. But you'd be surprised how it flourishes, in the desert, no less!

OK, now you're gonna make me want to garden again

[dr.gomonas]

Originally Posted by MomMom

DS...who said you can't have a vegetable garden here? I had a small vegetable garden for years...that's why I did the composting. I grew tomatoes, basil, mint, peppers and zucchini.

Man, talk about good tomatoes!

I didn't know what was more work though, keeping up with the garden or the compost pile...

My neighbor down the street has a garden, once in a while I get a few tomatoes from him and some fresh basil.

wow! that sounds great. I was thinking of getting a special bin/container. Don't know if that would make it better or worse. Maybe I could at least do seasonal composting fall-spring?

[MomMom]

Originally Posted by dr.gomonas

wow! that sounds great. I was thinking of getting a special bin/container. Don't know if that would make it better or worse. Maybe I could at least do seasonal composting fall-spring?

Yes, seasonal composting should be great. Just remember that with temps over 100 degrees for the whole summer, that compost heap/bin can get pretty nasty

Enjoy gardening in the desert. It's especially rewarding!

[aquadm]

Composting is a great idea for gardening in the desert! Vegas soil lacks a lot of organic material and could use better drainage. You may want to over-water the garden to flush any salts that have been in the existing soil before planting. I've learned that iron deficiencies can also become a problem with certain plants Fertilizers I like are ironite, fish emulsion, blood meal/bone meal, and sulfur. With sulfur, nutrients should become available in our alkaline dirt! My veggie successes have been watermelons, broccoli, and cauliflower In Utah I thought of myself as a green thumb....in Vegas it's trial and error Any other gardeners in Vegas?