"Paca Puckey"

We are trying “lasagna” gardening which is currently popular in gardening circles (see earlier article on the book) and since we own a Mantis cultivator we use horse manure mixed with sawdust and grass clippings to make each new bed. After some calling around I found a couple of sources of horse manure close to Lake Shastina: Lindy Foster on Solus Dr. (938-3330) and Lesa Mandts (459-1142 or see their website, www.paints.com).

Both are horse breeders and have copious amounts and Lindy said hers is composted because they keep it mounded up all the time so it’s crumbly and free of the infamous “horse apples” that otherwise have to be chopped up with a tiller. Both also do not charge for the product and even offer free loading into your truck.

Another fertilizer source is EBA Oaks Alpacas, the reason for the story's title. Alpacas are bred for their wool and the closest one is owned by Aase & Duane Frederick, called EBA Oaks Alpacas. They are holding an open house this weekend called National Alpaca Farm Days and are located off Schulmeyer Gulch Road just south of Yreka; 842-3504 at 6010 Little Creek Rd., Yreka.

They too offer free fertilizer and loading although the poop is different than horse manure. Aase explained that is in pellet form, similar in size to deer poop. She also said it is not as hot and can be spread on top of plants without danger of burning them. They provide most if not all of the fertilizer used in the Yreka Community Garden for these reasons.

So whether you garden the traditional way and rototill each season or you layer ingredients and let them rest year after year most ingredients are free locally and good soil amendment material. For more information contact the Master Gardener at OSU in Ashland 541-776-7371 or jcmga.sorec@oregonstate.edu.