With the advent of Spring like temperatures throughout most of the North America, wild flowers are popping up in places they haven’t been seen in for many years.
Whether it’s the Blue Bonnets in Texas, or the California Poppies on the West Coast, they are proof it’s time to start thinking about this season’s garden.
I know most of you have planned out your garden by now, ordered seeds, and some have even started seeds that by now are small seedlings stretching to get out in “real” dirt.
But what’s left to take care of?
How about making your own compost?
If you don’t have your own compost pile, and are already actively creating “the good stuff” for your garden, why not start now? Maybe now is the time to start one before you get too busy with the garden this year.
What’s a good way to start one?
Because of the nice temperatures and Springtime rains, in many parts of the country the lawn mowers are humming seemingly non-stop, there is an abundance of Grass clippings.
Why pay your city to haul your clippings it off in plastic bags( shiver….), only to have them charge someone else ( or you?) to pick it back up again as composted “compost”?
Why not make it yourself?
Don’t use any of your neighbors or your city clippings on your garden unless you are absolutely certain they are chemical free. Too many suburban home owners now spray chemicals on their lawn in an attempt to thwart Nature and her weeds. That is the last thing you want spread on your garden.
Creating compost is not difficult and can be as simple as a pile in your backyard somewhere. You should make it at least 3 feet in diameter so it can “cook” right.
Compost piles are a mixture of “Greens” like kitchen Food Scraps, Grass clippings, etc, and a blend of “Browns” such as dried twigs, shredded Newsprint, ( junk mail is good for this one)
With the proper ratio, the pile will “cook” killing off any weed seeds while the bacteria breaks down the material, generating the heat in the process. Keeping the pile moist like a damp sponge is important in this arrangement.
If you’re not in a hurry to get your compost, you don’t even need to worry about all the complex C/N ratios, browns vs Greens, what can I put in there?, etc
It simply takes a bit longer.
As you acquire Browns and Greens, simply toss them into your pile. You don’t need to pay attention to any ratios, or anything. In exchange, it will take a bit longer but still give you great compost.
Water the pile occasionally keeping is like a damp sponge, and turn it with a fork to keep air in the pile to help the bacteria do their work.
In exchange, you will get some amazing compost from your own “Trash”. Spread it over your garden or plot and watch the plants grow!
You know the best part?
It’s FREE!!!!
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