"Getting rid of everything that doesn’t matter allows you to remember who you are. Simplicity doesn’t change who you are, it brings you back to who you are."

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Sad Little Compost Pile

I've been tossing all my yard waste (grass, leaf) into the "dug-outs" this past fall and winter.  Along with shredded paper, egg shells, coffee grounds and any store bought (boo-hiss) veggie trimmings from the house...

(*Sidenote:  This is the first year that I've refused to pay the high prices of "fresh" vegetables during the winter season.  Being in NC, most of our winter veggies travel up from Florida and in years past I've bought the broccoli, cauliflower, green beans and zucchini to help us get through the winter blahs.  This year, I just can't do it.  And it's not just the price.  Last year I ate my own fresh veggies (and also purchased from the local farmers market).  So I know what good taste is about now.  Can't do it anymore.  Sorry grocery stores!  The only thing I do buy right now is romaine and carrots for the occasional salad and frozen peas and corn are a staple for me right now.)

Anyhoo...Getting back to the compost piles...When we built the raised beds, we built them over some of the other compost piles.  I didn't even think about digging those up and out.  So they're at the bottom of the beds.  Oh well.  (That was my "duh" moment of last month.)

So all I've got left is this one puny little pile to work out of.


Sad isn't it?  Even the dogs are circling in sorrow.  "Is this all ya got?"


I tossed in the wood ash from the big burn and gave it a toss and a good watering. 


There's a section in the book on composting.  I haven't gotten to it yet but I thumbed through it.  This is an area that I really need to educate myself on.

I see in the gardening catalogs these fancy drum turning gizmo's for hundreds of dollars.  Ha.  Ain't happening here I can tell you that.

So what's the mystery of composting?  As a novice gardener, I'd appreciate any links, sites or words of wisdom that you might like to share.

Dig into my pile please!

8 comments:

  1. How I admire your ability to compost out in the open! You lucky gardener, you!
    Here are a couple of links I have:

    http://www.howtohomestead.org/?page_id=266

    http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/composting-101

    Can't wait to see your pile grow!

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  2. I don't know much about composting,need to start a pile myself. I know they are very good for the garden. Good luck with yours. Blessings jane

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  3. You seem to be on the right track. There is the easy way, leave it be and it does it over a longer period. Or you can do a quicker compost that requires a little more attention to your ratio of carbons to nitrogens and moisture content. There is tons of info out there. I have 3 bins and I still run out all the time. It seems you never have enough, no matter how you do it.

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  4. I found a really ez way to compost...I call my friend at the Mushroom farm and say: Hey John, bring me a load of compost...in a couple days here comes a semi tractor and trailer load (seriously)...and I have enough compost for 3 years! I do put my leaves, chicken litter, rotted hay and garden refuse in the piles so I guess I am composting...I just cheated on the start-up!

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  5. I can't help you because we are just getting started too.

    Looks like Daisy gave you some links. I better check those out too :)

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  6. Thanks for the links Daisy...good stuff!

    Jane- You and Red and I need to take notes from these gals...

    Jane - I could have kicked myself when I realized I'd just throw topsoil ONTOP of the 2 other piles. (Idiot)

    Lynda - LOL! (You are so spoiled,girl!)

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  8. I wouldn't feel too bad about building your raised beds on top of the compost piles. The "good stuff" is still there. You'll just need to tease it up with a little time and a good garden fork. We compost in huge rows. I am always looking for old spoiled, moldy hay that I can haul to the house. We also have a livestock auction close by that generates a truck load any time I want to get it.

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