Composting. Why write about this just before Christmas?
With this year having been a time of unusual happenings, why not add just one more?
Actually, composting to me is like building a foundation to a house. Unless you have a good foundation to plant in, the result can be very disappointing. You only get out what you first put down.
The other day, I went out to inspect my Christmas lights. I noticed the snow was melting on top of one of my compost piles, along with the green lawn made a surprising comeback.
I have actually over the years learned yardwork, or making something in the shop, can be more than work, but therapeutic.
Composting garden materials is for me a high priority because of its base for what I’m able to grow in the vegetable garden and flower boxes.
When I first moved into my place, the only thing growing was grass. When I made an attempt to plant anything, digging in the ground, just after two inches, I discovered sand, stones and rocks. It was a big challenge compared to what I was use to from our farm outside Victoria.
Since then, nineteen years, I have collected several hundred trailer loads of grass clippings and leaves. The result, more than one foot of topsoil all around. Composting is both time- and labour-consuming, as it takes a lot of patience.
So, with that said, we need to always have a composting pile on the go, planning toward the future. What grows in the garden, stays in the garden.
A story from a reader:
A little story as I remember it. When we lived in Victoria, there was a small bathroom by the office. In it, was a window recess and on the shelf was a small pot of African Violets.
No one was responsible for caring for it. Most times, if I ever checked, the soil was dry. So, I would give it a little water. A few other people did the same, maybe?
We talked about it now and again, the conclusion always was, nobody had ever seen it when it wasn’t in bloom. I believe this was over years of our living there.
It you have any stories questions, suggestions for topics, please email me: e.jacobsen85@yahoo.com. I will not reveal your identity.