With a good 1 to 2 inch layer of organic compost over your garden bed, and a cover crop of green manure planted from seed in the fall, you will be on your way to improving your garden soil for next year's planting. Sown from seed, cover crops germinate very quickly and will grow all winter long. Then simply till the cover crop in once it flowers in spring. The cover crop's foliage will help protect the soil from getting compacted, which can happen in constant winter rain or from blanketing of snow. And when you till it in, the foliage adds organic material that will improve soil structure, increase nutrients and help your soil retain moisture.
Plants in the the legume family, commonly known as the pea family, bean family or pulse family, include soybean, alfalfa, vetch or fava beans. These are some of the best cover crops available (check online seed companies and nurseries). Legume plants are special in that they will retain nutrients that will then be returned to the soil when tilled in, thereby providing nutrients for your spring and summer crops next year. These crops have assertive root systems, which are helpful in breaking up hard soils. They are also very hardy and frost tolerant.
Cover crop seeds can be broadcast in mid-October right over that one to two inch layer of compost and all around the fall crops that are currently growing in your garden. Fall cover crops will grow quickly and reduce weed problems, but won't grow tall enough to overwhelm existing plantings.
Making organic compost for your fall cover crop is easy with tumbling composters. Look for models with more than one section inside: one for new compostable materials and one section for completed compost. If you live where there are temperature extremes, consider one of the Jora tumbling composting machines. They are manufactured in Sweden, and insulated to withstand temperature extremes.
Happy Composting!
Showing posts with label organic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organic. Show all posts
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Preparing for Winter - Reviewing Your Garden Journal
I wrote in June about keeping a Garden Journal, which might include a map of your garden, what was planted and where, how often it was watered, even details about amounts of sunlight it received and the temperatures it experienced. Written down should also be information on the yields you've experienced from your vegetables, what you liked and what you weren't so crazy about. These bits of information can help you prepare your garden for winter.
Preparing your garden for the winter should include planning for next year. It doesn't have to be exact, but a general idea can help you decide where to put the bulk of your compost. Plants should be grown in different areas of the garden every year, most especially tomatoes, as they absorb different nutrients from the soil. But most will benefit from a fresh place in the garden. Plants that need more fertilizer and water should be grouped together for most effective use of both; an example would be peppers and tomatoes; squash and beans.
After pulling up annuals and weeding, the next step is a good layer of compost to condition the soil for next spring's planting. Our tumbling composters have been busily making nutrient rich organic compost all spring and summer, so we have plenty of compost to spread around. We'll put down a two inch deep layer of compost to enrich the soil and act as a mulch, conserving moisture and reducing the odd winter weed. We use our Fold-A-Cart to get the compost where it's needed. It's pretty easy to park our Fold-A-Cart under the compost machine, dump the compost in and wheel it to wherever in the garden we need it. This cart is especially nice because it is so easy to clean up afterwards, and it has two ten-inch pneumatic rubber tires that give it a great center of gravity and prevent tipping like our old wheelbarrow used to want to do. When we're done spreading the compost layer, we'll give everything a good soaking to provide the moisture that our garden worms need in order to do their jobs. Another spray with the hose and the Fold-A-Cart is ready to be folded down to 20% of its usable size and hung in the garage.
Even though I still have lots of vegetables in my garden (the warm weather still hangs on!): tomatoes, beets, beans, chard and spinach, I'll be updating my garden journal this weekend on what worked in the garden and where I need to move things next year. When we finally do get cold weather, all the refuse from the garden will go back into the tumbling composters to help make more compost for the spring planting.
Happy Composting!
Preparing your garden for the winter should include planning for next year. It doesn't have to be exact, but a general idea can help you decide where to put the bulk of your compost. Plants should be grown in different areas of the garden every year, most especially tomatoes, as they absorb different nutrients from the soil. But most will benefit from a fresh place in the garden. Plants that need more fertilizer and water should be grouped together for most effective use of both; an example would be peppers and tomatoes; squash and beans.
After pulling up annuals and weeding, the next step is a good layer of compost to condition the soil for next spring's planting. Our tumbling composters have been busily making nutrient rich organic compost all spring and summer, so we have plenty of compost to spread around. We'll put down a two inch deep layer of compost to enrich the soil and act as a mulch, conserving moisture and reducing the odd winter weed. We use our Fold-A-Cart to get the compost where it's needed. It's pretty easy to park our Fold-A-Cart under the compost machine, dump the compost in and wheel it to wherever in the garden we need it. This cart is especially nice because it is so easy to clean up afterwards, and it has two ten-inch pneumatic rubber tires that give it a great center of gravity and prevent tipping like our old wheelbarrow used to want to do. When we're done spreading the compost layer, we'll give everything a good soaking to provide the moisture that our garden worms need in order to do their jobs. Another spray with the hose and the Fold-A-Cart is ready to be folded down to 20% of its usable size and hung in the garage.
Even though I still have lots of vegetables in my garden (the warm weather still hangs on!): tomatoes, beets, beans, chard and spinach, I'll be updating my garden journal this weekend on what worked in the garden and where I need to move things next year. When we finally do get cold weather, all the refuse from the garden will go back into the tumbling composters to help make more compost for the spring planting.
Happy Composting!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Thinning and Transplanting Purple Bearded Iris
Two weeks ago the tops of my Purple Bearded Iris were cut back to about 4 inches above the ground. They were ready, I was ready...they were overcrowded and not producing flowers like they used to. Also, the rhizomes were snaking out of the ground. The root systems were so bunched up that the roots were pushing the rhizomes to the surface. So today was the day for thinning and transplanting them. One large bunch had been planted in river rocks, thus all the rocks needed to be moved first (and continuously, since many seemed to have burrowed their way into the ground). Using a garden fork, I loosened the soil around the rhizomes, then removed the clumps of rhizomes in as large a bunch as I could handle. I carefully brushed the excess dirt off of the roots so they could be inspected, and placed the rhizomes in my folding cart.
It's important that you check the iris rhizomes for root borers or for softness and throw away any that are diseased or bug damaged. Luckily all my rhizomes were healthy, and I have enough to share with neighbors and co-workers.
I kept rhizomes with leaf fans that were each in pieces about 3 - 5 inches long for replanting. Four spots in my garden were selected that had the right combination of room and light. Holes deep and wide enough for groupings of 3-5 rhizomes were dug, then the rhizomes were placed just below ground level and facing away from each other with the roots spreading out. Next came a covering of organic compost over around the roots and over all in a mound that covers the leaves. Finally the mound was watered well, and will be watered with my garden drip until first frost. They'll get some moisture throughout the winter with snow melt and some BiOWiSH™ Crop to promote good absorption of the nutrients in the compost. My Purple Bearded Iris are set for roots to re-establish themselves in preparation of a glorious springtime bloom across the expanse of my back fence. Happy Composting!
It's important that you check the iris rhizomes for root borers or for softness and throw away any that are diseased or bug damaged. Luckily all my rhizomes were healthy, and I have enough to share with neighbors and co-workers.
I kept rhizomes with leaf fans that were each in pieces about 3 - 5 inches long for replanting. Four spots in my garden were selected that had the right combination of room and light. Holes deep and wide enough for groupings of 3-5 rhizomes were dug, then the rhizomes were placed just below ground level and facing away from each other with the roots spreading out. Next came a covering of organic compost over around the roots and over all in a mound that covers the leaves. Finally the mound was watered well, and will be watered with my garden drip until first frost. They'll get some moisture throughout the winter with snow melt and some BiOWiSH™ Crop to promote good absorption of the nutrients in the compost. My Purple Bearded Iris are set for roots to re-establish themselves in preparation of a glorious springtime bloom across the expanse of my back fence. Happy Composting!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Readying the Garden for Fall
This was the perfect weekend for preparing my garden for fall. Today's temperature hovered around 70 degrees, with a little breeze and the bluest sky. I've harvested the lettuce and the beets, and a bush bean that hadn't done so well. Now I have room and cooler temperatures to allow for some more spinach and chard. But the soil looks like it needs a lift. It's a good thing that we've been composting all summer, putting into our tumbling composter all our kitchen scraps, some shredded newspaper and alittle hay. Now I have plenty of organic compost to amend my garden soil. As a mulch, it will retain moisture, so I can water less. It will also keep down the weeds that have sprouted up so prolifically in my walkways and rocks this year. Need I mention the nutrients that my organic compost will provide to the vegetables I'll plant? I can hardly wait for some fresh spinach salads!
I'm convinced that the biggest reason that we've been so successful with our composting is because we've used BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost regularly. It's kept the temperature of the compost at a regular 130 degrees to allow the organic matter to decompose at just the right rate. With all it's powerful enzymes, BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost has also prevented the odors that sometimes accompany compost. It doesn't mask the odor, but actually digests it.
Check our website for a variety of tumbling composters, paying particular attention to the Jora models for year round composting. And don't forget to order some BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost for your own compost piles for faster, better smelling, 100% organic compost for your garden. Happy Composting!
I'm convinced that the biggest reason that we've been so successful with our composting is because we've used BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost regularly. It's kept the temperature of the compost at a regular 130 degrees to allow the organic matter to decompose at just the right rate. With all it's powerful enzymes, BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost has also prevented the odors that sometimes accompany compost. It doesn't mask the odor, but actually digests it.
Check our website for a variety of tumbling composters, paying particular attention to the Jora models for year round composting. And don't forget to order some BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost for your own compost piles for faster, better smelling, 100% organic compost for your garden. Happy Composting!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Container Gardening
With times as they are in this economy, having vegetables and herbs grown at home can really stretch a budget. I’ve been spending a lot less at the grocery this summer with the produce from my garden as a supplement. We’re fortunate to have room in our yard to have a sizable garden, but you can grow your own fresh organic vegetables in containers very easily.
I like to set up a drip irrigation system for my container garden, ala my husband, since plants do much better if they are on a set watering schedule. We feed them regularly, as well, and nip off dead or yellowed leaves. I recommend tomatoes in sunny locations, whether upright or hanging ones. There are so many different types of tomatoes you can choose from, too, and a plethora of recipes that can accommodate this versatile veggie.
Some of the benefits to container gardening, aside from the fresh produce are:
- bugs and slugs are virtually non-problematic
- weeds are usually not a problem either
- you can have as many as you can fit or as few as you want to deal with
- almost anything can be used as a planting container, as long as it holds soil and has adequate drainage
- potting soil can be used with confidence, since they have the proper pH balance
- containers can be brought indoors when the weather turns cold so you can prolong your growing season
- container gardening beautifies your patio, porch or balcony with color and foliage
- even small, tight spaces like as window sills and steps can be utilized to grow herbs
- they love the compost that you've, hopefully, been making!
Happy Composting!
I like to set up a drip irrigation system for my container garden, ala my husband, since plants do much better if they are on a set watering schedule. We feed them regularly, as well, and nip off dead or yellowed leaves. I recommend tomatoes in sunny locations, whether upright or hanging ones. There are so many different types of tomatoes you can choose from, too, and a plethora of recipes that can accommodate this versatile veggie.
Some of the benefits to container gardening, aside from the fresh produce are:
- bugs and slugs are virtually non-problematic
- weeds are usually not a problem either
- you can have as many as you can fit or as few as you want to deal with
- almost anything can be used as a planting container, as long as it holds soil and has adequate drainage
- potting soil can be used with confidence, since they have the proper pH balance
- containers can be brought indoors when the weather turns cold so you can prolong your growing season
- container gardening beautifies your patio, porch or balcony with color and foliage
- even small, tight spaces like as window sills and steps can be utilized to grow herbs
- they love the compost that you've, hopefully, been making!
Happy Composting!
Monday, August 16, 2010
What to Do About Powdery Mildrew on Squash Leaves
There seems to be a lot of 'talk' on gardening websites about this common problem, but not many folks have a sure fire answer about what to do when your zucchini, yellow squash and cucumber plants develop a white, powdery mildew on their leaves. Some gardeners have said that it's a natural occurrence as temperatures begin to drop. Others say not to plant too closely together, as overcrowding can lead to the fungus. Still others have said their plants just develop this at the end of the season, so they do nothing.
Here in the Denver area we've had pretty steady high temps...fortunately for my veggies, but unfortunately for me! And I certainly hope that mid-August isn't to be considered close to the end of the growing season! Can't do anything about overcrowding at this point, unless I just want to get rid of otherwise healthy and productive plants. So my husband and I decided to try a product from BiOWiSH™ that is newly available in the US: BiOWiSH™ Crop. As always, we strive to make our gardening 100% organic, and so we're happy to be able to use BiOWiSH™ products because they're all 100% organic and environmentally safe. Some of the benefits of Crop include:
•Increases nutrient availability
•Reduces habitat for fungal spores
•Improves yields
•Improves plant health
•Increases total number of crops per annum
•100% natural and biodegradable
•Non-toxic and chemical-free
We saw a huge difference within 24 hours! The Powdery Mildew was almost completely gone. And we've got lots of lovely flowers on the plants, which I hope will turn into even lovelier zucchini and yellow squash...since I haven't made a single batch of zucchini bread yet!
Happy Composting!
Here in the Denver area we've had pretty steady high temps...fortunately for my veggies, but unfortunately for me! And I certainly hope that mid-August isn't to be considered close to the end of the growing season! Can't do anything about overcrowding at this point, unless I just want to get rid of otherwise healthy and productive plants. So my husband and I decided to try a product from BiOWiSH™ that is newly available in the US: BiOWiSH™ Crop. As always, we strive to make our gardening 100% organic, and so we're happy to be able to use BiOWiSH™ products because they're all 100% organic and environmentally safe. Some of the benefits of Crop include:
•Increases nutrient availability
•Reduces habitat for fungal spores
•Improves yields
•Improves plant health
•Increases total number of crops per annum
•100% natural and biodegradable
•Non-toxic and chemical-free
We saw a huge difference within 24 hours! The Powdery Mildew was almost completely gone. And we've got lots of lovely flowers on the plants, which I hope will turn into even lovelier zucchini and yellow squash...since I haven't made a single batch of zucchini bread yet!
Happy Composting!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Cleaning Up Naturally
We have a friend with a miniature golf course close by who was lamenting to my husband the other day about having to clean the bathrooms every night after the 'mishaps' of their cherished customers. Of course while they appreciate the business that their clients bring in, it's not a lot of fun cleaning up after them!
But they're closing times been much less gruesome now that they have BiOWiSH Cleaner-Deodorizer helping them. These hard working folks deserve a few breaks, afterall. Their stinky, germ filled chore is taken care of with a quick spray of BiOWiSH Cleaner-Deodorizer. It eliminates, instead of masking odors, because it digests the bacteria. And one package of BiOWiSH Cleaner-Deodorizer equals 2.5 gallons of cleaning and deodorizing power,so it costs under $5 per gallon. An all natural cleaner, completely safe around children and pets, and economical too!
Cleaner & Deodorizer is a unique chemical-free cleaning treatment for every household and office surface. Rid yourself of the worry of chemical cleaners with all BiOWiSH™ cleaning products, including Floor Wash, Odor, Septic Tank Aid, BiO-Stix Drain Cleaner, Pond & Fountain, Aqua and Cleaner & Degreaser. Visit us and view product details at www.BestComposters.com.
But they're closing times been much less gruesome now that they have BiOWiSH Cleaner-Deodorizer helping them. These hard working folks deserve a few breaks, afterall. Their stinky, germ filled chore is taken care of with a quick spray of BiOWiSH Cleaner-Deodorizer. It eliminates, instead of masking odors, because it digests the bacteria. And one package of BiOWiSH Cleaner-Deodorizer equals 2.5 gallons of cleaning and deodorizing power,so it costs under $5 per gallon. An all natural cleaner, completely safe around children and pets, and economical too!
Cleaner & Deodorizer is a unique chemical-free cleaning treatment for every household and office surface. Rid yourself of the worry of chemical cleaners with all BiOWiSH™ cleaning products, including Floor Wash, Odor, Septic Tank Aid, BiO-Stix Drain Cleaner, Pond & Fountain, Aqua and Cleaner & Degreaser. Visit us and view product details at www.BestComposters.com.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Got the Septic Tank Blues?
BiOWiSH™ Technologies Septic Rescue is especially designed for septic systems in failure mode. It's been found to be so effective that the manufacturer guarantees that clogged septic systems will be working smoothly again in only three days or they will provide a full refund! One box of Septic Rescue has three packets that are easy to use and money saving.
This 100% organic, biodegradable revolutionary product will, without a doubt, save thousands of dollars in pump-out or remediation costs. Foul odors emanating from septic tank failure will quickly be eliminated.
Septic Rescue is non-toxic, non-chemical and non-pathogenic, and provides up to 3 months of residual action with the easy, three-step treatment process.
Septic Rescue can be used in domestic septic systems and aerated wastewater systems.
We feel very strongly that, as Authorized Distributors of BiOWiSH™ products, we have the ability to care and respond to the overwhelming environmental concerns facing us today through these safe and organic products. Our products perform not just equally, but better than many well known brands and will drastically reduce the need for excessive and wasteful use of harsh chemicals. Septic Rescue is a cost effective means of preventing unnecessary maintenance expenses because it removes sludge build up and back up. Before you consider pumping out your septic system, try Septic Rescue. Effectively maintains a healthy septic system to avoid sludge build up and system back ups. Available through www.BestComposters.com.
This 100% organic, biodegradable revolutionary product will, without a doubt, save thousands of dollars in pump-out or remediation costs. Foul odors emanating from septic tank failure will quickly be eliminated.
Septic Rescue is non-toxic, non-chemical and non-pathogenic, and provides up to 3 months of residual action with the easy, three-step treatment process.
Septic Rescue can be used in domestic septic systems and aerated wastewater systems.
We feel very strongly that, as Authorized Distributors of BiOWiSH™ products, we have the ability to care and respond to the overwhelming environmental concerns facing us today through these safe and organic products. Our products perform not just equally, but better than many well known brands and will drastically reduce the need for excessive and wasteful use of harsh chemicals. Septic Rescue is a cost effective means of preventing unnecessary maintenance expenses because it removes sludge build up and back up. Before you consider pumping out your septic system, try Septic Rescue. Effectively maintains a healthy septic system to avoid sludge build up and system back ups. Available through www.BestComposters.com.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Ponds & Fountains in Your Yards
Water is such an important part of our lives, and I can't think of anyone who doesn't enjoy the relaxing sound of a gurgling brook or splashing waterfall. Ponds and fountains in your yard adds value to your property...as long as they look and smell inviting! But let algae begin to take over and the attraction of your water feature will dwindle and turn to revulsion.
The best plan, of course, is to start out with a clean pond or fountain and maintain it with an environmentally friendly, 100% organic product, BiOWiSH™ Pond & Fountain Conditioner For you lucky folks who haven't yet filled or even built your pond, you can start off right by keeping it clean with monthly doses of BiOWiSH™ Pond & Fountain Conditioner.
If you find yourself having to fix a growing algae problem, you've probably dealt with chemical mixes to kill the algae, then something else to remove it and/or the odor. One of the benefits of BiOWiSH™ Pond & Fountain Conditioner is that, without chemicals, it consumes the algae instead of killing it. This process reduces accumulated bottom sludge and improve water clarity and odor.
When you first apply BiOWiSH™ Pond & Tank Conditioner, the biology of the water will be bought back to life. This can cause short-term darkening of water as bottom sludge gains buoyancy. This is all part of the accelerated decomposition process. Over the course of 1-2 weeks you will see the water becoming progressively clearer, blue green algal growth will be removed and sludge or waste accumulation will be eliminated. And there is no need to worry about adverse effects on aquatic plants or animals, pets or people. It's completely safe to use; a natural cleaner from the earth, for the earth. Visit us at www.BestComposters.com for all your organic cleaning needs - we are authorized distributors of BiOWiSH Technologies full line of products. Happy Composting!
The best plan, of course, is to start out with a clean pond or fountain and maintain it with an environmentally friendly, 100% organic product, BiOWiSH™ Pond & Fountain Conditioner For you lucky folks who haven't yet filled or even built your pond, you can start off right by keeping it clean with monthly doses of BiOWiSH™ Pond & Fountain Conditioner.
If you find yourself having to fix a growing algae problem, you've probably dealt with chemical mixes to kill the algae, then something else to remove it and/or the odor. One of the benefits of BiOWiSH™ Pond & Fountain Conditioner is that, without chemicals, it consumes the algae instead of killing it. This process reduces accumulated bottom sludge and improve water clarity and odor.
When you first apply BiOWiSH™ Pond & Tank Conditioner, the biology of the water will be bought back to life. This can cause short-term darkening of water as bottom sludge gains buoyancy. This is all part of the accelerated decomposition process. Over the course of 1-2 weeks you will see the water becoming progressively clearer, blue green algal growth will be removed and sludge or waste accumulation will be eliminated. And there is no need to worry about adverse effects on aquatic plants or animals, pets or people. It's completely safe to use; a natural cleaner from the earth, for the earth. Visit us at www.BestComposters.com for all your organic cleaning needs - we are authorized distributors of BiOWiSH Technologies full line of products. Happy Composting!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Keeping a Gardening Journal
Successful organic vegetable gardening doesn't happen by accident. The three "P's" are essential to the process: planning, preparation and persistence.
You will enjoy higher yields and better results over the years by paying attention and keeping track of what works and what doesn't work in your garden. It's one of the things I love about organic gardening - it's a continual learning process. Some of the success in your garden depends on factors outside our control, like the date of the last frost, how much or little rain falls, extreme weather, temperatures and infestations. Yes, and a certain amount of luck. But we can do a little research to find out what grows successfully in our region, and so control what we plant. We can also have a lot of impact on the quality of our soil by testing and amending it, or by using raised beds and pots.
A vital element of organic gardening is maintaining a good supply of nutrients for your plants to take up as they need them. We provide nutrients organically to the soil by adding compost, mulch, green manure cover crops, mature or well composted animal manures, or mixed organic fertilizer. In this way, your vegetables will grow robustly, which will help deter pests and diseases. And having healthy plants will also provide you with bigger yields and faster maturing plants.
When you have a list of plants that typically do well in your region and growing season, and have tested and amended your soil to provide those plants with the nutrients they need, I suggest keeping that information in a gardening journal. Record what you plant, where in the garden it's planted, when and how. Add an entry whenever you need to in order to record what's happening in the garden. Next year refer back to that journal and see what worked, what didn't, and hopefully, why.
Happy Composting!
You will enjoy higher yields and better results over the years by paying attention and keeping track of what works and what doesn't work in your garden. It's one of the things I love about organic gardening - it's a continual learning process. Some of the success in your garden depends on factors outside our control, like the date of the last frost, how much or little rain falls, extreme weather, temperatures and infestations. Yes, and a certain amount of luck. But we can do a little research to find out what grows successfully in our region, and so control what we plant. We can also have a lot of impact on the quality of our soil by testing and amending it, or by using raised beds and pots.
A vital element of organic gardening is maintaining a good supply of nutrients for your plants to take up as they need them. We provide nutrients organically to the soil by adding compost, mulch, green manure cover crops, mature or well composted animal manures, or mixed organic fertilizer. In this way, your vegetables will grow robustly, which will help deter pests and diseases. And having healthy plants will also provide you with bigger yields and faster maturing plants.
When you have a list of plants that typically do well in your region and growing season, and have tested and amended your soil to provide those plants with the nutrients they need, I suggest keeping that information in a gardening journal. Record what you plant, where in the garden it's planted, when and how. Add an entry whenever you need to in order to record what's happening in the garden. Next year refer back to that journal and see what worked, what didn't, and hopefully, why.
Happy Composting!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Gardening the Organic Way
There are so many ways that our bodies are bombarded with pollutants every day. The air we breathe into our lungs and that is absorbed through our skin includes industrial air pollutants, automobile emissions, and household cleaning agents. The water we drink has trace chemicals in it from rain water, fertilizers and pesticides. And let's not forget to mention the chemicals we ingest on our foods. It's extremely difficult to combat the effects pollutants have on us...shall we live on a mountain top or in the middle of a rain forest? Instead, why not choose to increase your intake of antioxidants by growing and eating your own organic vegetables? In a study by Newcastle University in England, researchers found that "organic food has a higher nutritional value than ordinary produce" with "up to 40% more antioxidants in organic fruit and vegetables than in non-organic." Those antioxidants combat the effects of pollution, slowing aging and reducing risks of disease.
An effective and easy way to start an organic garden is by cutting out chemical fertilizers and replacing them with compost. Mix it into your soil as an enhancement and/or use it as a top mulch...it will provide nutrients for your plants and encourage earthworms to keep your soil healthy. I love our tumbling composter because it's so easy to use, keeps pests out because of it's tight seal, and keeps the heat in which helps the breakdown process work more quickly. You can see our full range of tumbling composters at www.BestComposters.com. You might also want to include some of our BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost to make the process really easy! You won't have to worry about getting the proper mix of nitrogen and carbon into your compost bin, or the odors that can be associated with an improper mix. 100% organic BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost will enhance the output of your compost bin in multiple ways, while keeping with your goal of going and growing organic.
Happy composting!
An effective and easy way to start an organic garden is by cutting out chemical fertilizers and replacing them with compost. Mix it into your soil as an enhancement and/or use it as a top mulch...it will provide nutrients for your plants and encourage earthworms to keep your soil healthy. I love our tumbling composter because it's so easy to use, keeps pests out because of it's tight seal, and keeps the heat in which helps the breakdown process work more quickly. You can see our full range of tumbling composters at www.BestComposters.com. You might also want to include some of our BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost to make the process really easy! You won't have to worry about getting the proper mix of nitrogen and carbon into your compost bin, or the odors that can be associated with an improper mix. 100% organic BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost will enhance the output of your compost bin in multiple ways, while keeping with your goal of going and growing organic.
Happy composting!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
"Organic" Pesticides
The thing I noticed pretty quickly about gardening organically was the plant destroying pests: bugs, weeds and critters. I knew about beneficial insects, the ones that eat the plant destroyers, and how they could be purchased online, mail order, or sometimes from local nurseries. I also knew that hot peppers could be used in some fashion as well. And my organic farmer husband has long used a soap and water mixture to discourage infestations of insects. But an article in the weekend real estate guide from the Sunday, June 11th Denver Post went into glorious detail about organic pesticides, why they work and a recipe to make it. Also included were some tips for reducing the likelihood of infestations.
First, the recipe: 3 garlic bulbs, 12 hot chili peppers, 2 TBSP vegetable oil, 5 squirts liquid dish soap and 7 cups of water. Blend these together using an electric blender and then strain through muslin cloth, storing in a spray bottle. I made a batch, and have initially found it pretty effective. I also noticed that it smells bad, but dissipates quickly. I think the garlic also helps makes it fairly sticky on the plants and cuts off the air supply to most pests.
Next, to attract beneficial insects, we should keep our gardens dry and healthy. Wet plants are more susceptible to infestations and fungus. Keep your garden mulched (you can use organic compost...easy to do with a tumbling composter from BestComposters.com!)so as to prevent weed growth and retain moisture for the plant roots, then trim leaves so that they don't lay on the ground. Certain plants will attract beneficial insects, like carrots, celery, parsley, caraway, Queen Ann's Lace, tansy, yarrow, daisies, blackeyed susans, asters marigolds and goldenrod.
I haven't tried the last steps to protecting my garden yet in any quantity. I do have the first three vegies, but I'm interested in adding some of the flowers around them to see what impact they'll have. I surely wish I could get our Homeowner's Association to ok chickens. I'm told they are a powerful ally in the war against slugs (not to mention the delicious fresh eggs that they give), and I really need an ally for that war!
Happy Composting!
First, the recipe: 3 garlic bulbs, 12 hot chili peppers, 2 TBSP vegetable oil, 5 squirts liquid dish soap and 7 cups of water. Blend these together using an electric blender and then strain through muslin cloth, storing in a spray bottle. I made a batch, and have initially found it pretty effective. I also noticed that it smells bad, but dissipates quickly. I think the garlic also helps makes it fairly sticky on the plants and cuts off the air supply to most pests.
Next, to attract beneficial insects, we should keep our gardens dry and healthy. Wet plants are more susceptible to infestations and fungus. Keep your garden mulched (you can use organic compost...easy to do with a tumbling composter from BestComposters.com!)so as to prevent weed growth and retain moisture for the plant roots, then trim leaves so that they don't lay on the ground. Certain plants will attract beneficial insects, like carrots, celery, parsley, caraway, Queen Ann's Lace, tansy, yarrow, daisies, blackeyed susans, asters marigolds and goldenrod.
I haven't tried the last steps to protecting my garden yet in any quantity. I do have the first three vegies, but I'm interested in adding some of the flowers around them to see what impact they'll have. I surely wish I could get our Homeowner's Association to ok chickens. I'm told they are a powerful ally in the war against slugs (not to mention the delicious fresh eggs that they give), and I really need an ally for that war!
Happy Composting!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Time to Clean Up Those Water Features in Your Yards!
In honor of Earth Day, and every other day of the year, BestComposters.com provides FREE SHIPPING on all our BiOWiSH™ Products! They are all 100% organic, fast acting and completely safe for humans and the environment.
When you first apply BiOWiSH™ Aqua, the biology of the water will be bought back to life. This can cause short-term darkening of water as bottom sludge gains buoyancy. This is all part of the accelerated decomposition process. Over the course of 1-2 weeks you will see the water becoming progressively clearer, blue green algal growth will be removed and sludge and waste accumulation will be eliminated.
BiOWiSH™ Aqua is used in many commercial applications where it is directly applied to animal’s drinking water, aquaculture production water, crops, hydroponics waters and general water treatment.
In the age of global warming and concerns for our Mother Earth, you won’t find a more environmentally safe, fast and effective way to clean your water features than BiOWiSH™ Aqua. This is the positive and beneficial choice to make.
Now is the perfect time to get your backyard water features, ponds in shape for the summer season. You’ll enjoy your pond so much more when it’s sparkling clean and smelling great! It will amaze you the way BiOWiSH™ Aqua will clean out the sludge build up from decomposing leaves, bird droppings and other detritus that accumulates over time!
When you first apply BiOWiSH™ Aqua, the biology of the water will be bought back to life. This can cause short-term darkening of water as bottom sludge gains buoyancy. This is all part of the accelerated decomposition process. Over the course of 1-2 weeks you will see the water becoming progressively clearer, blue green algal growth will be removed and sludge and waste accumulation will be eliminated. In the age of global warming and concerns for our Mother Earth, you won’t find a more environmentally safe, fast and effective way to clean your water features than BiOWiSH™ Aqua. This is the positive and beneficial choice to make.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Experimenting in the Garden World
Here it is, the last day of March, and my seedlings experiment has been very successful! The newspaper 'pots' have held up without any degradation or structural problems, and the seedlings themselves are just so darn cute! I'm particularly fond of the lettuces. Raise your hand if you've ever purchased and eaten baby greens. That's kind of how I feel about the baby lettuces...yummy looking! The spinach are hanging in there as well, and I think that both are ready for regular dosing of BiOWiSH™ to determine what difference it will make on the growth of the plants. I've got five seedlings, so I'll start dosing two (one lettuce and one spinach) and leave the other three plants as my test group. I'll keep you posted on the changes and differences I see. I'll even post pictures!
It's always tempting at this time of year to jump the gun and start full scale planting outside. The weather here along the front range of the Rockies has been spectacular this week. Ok, ok, so we had a little snow last Wednesday. But this last weekend and up until today have been picturesque, so I've been thinking more and more about getting out into the garden. Last weekend I started digging a new area in front of the house along side the driveway. I plan a 3 x 3 foot garden there for zucchini. A neighbor had a front yard planting last year that I always thought so attractive when I'd drive by, that I decided to utilize some of that 'dead' space next to my drive for food! It's unconditioned soil, so I'm going to be adding in a good amount of 100% organic, home grown compost...I'll try to hold out until at least April 16th! Goodness knows we get our share of late frosts and spring snows.
Speaking of adding garden space, I've got a question for you woodworking hobbyists out there. I was planning an addition of a raised bed, maybe 4 or 5 x 3 foot in diameter and two to three feet tall. My husband fantasizes about using recycled plastic boards and specially designed and manufactured corner pieces to hold the walled sides together...to the tune of about $200-$400!! Me, I'm more of a "let's see what we have lying around in our garage that we can put together for our purposes" kinda gal. I know that compromise is important, so in that spirit of compromise, any of you have some ideas about how to put together a low cost, functioning raised garden? A free Six (6) month supply of BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost to the best designer of a low cost raised bed garden!
Happy Composting!
It's always tempting at this time of year to jump the gun and start full scale planting outside. The weather here along the front range of the Rockies has been spectacular this week. Ok, ok, so we had a little snow last Wednesday. But this last weekend and up until today have been picturesque, so I've been thinking more and more about getting out into the garden. Last weekend I started digging a new area in front of the house along side the driveway. I plan a 3 x 3 foot garden there for zucchini. A neighbor had a front yard planting last year that I always thought so attractive when I'd drive by, that I decided to utilize some of that 'dead' space next to my drive for food! It's unconditioned soil, so I'm going to be adding in a good amount of 100% organic, home grown compost...I'll try to hold out until at least April 16th! Goodness knows we get our share of late frosts and spring snows.
Speaking of adding garden space, I've got a question for you woodworking hobbyists out there. I was planning an addition of a raised bed, maybe 4 or 5 x 3 foot in diameter and two to three feet tall. My husband fantasizes about using recycled plastic boards and specially designed and manufactured corner pieces to hold the walled sides together...to the tune of about $200-$400!! Me, I'm more of a "let's see what we have lying around in our garage that we can put together for our purposes" kinda gal. I know that compromise is important, so in that spirit of compromise, any of you have some ideas about how to put together a low cost, functioning raised garden? A free Six (6) month supply of BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost to the best designer of a low cost raised bed garden!
Happy Composting!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Skunk Odor Removal
I've been fortunate to never have a dog that got sprayed by a skunk, and I think it's remarkable! My last dog, Indy, a Brittany Spaniel whose ancesters were bred to flush birds in the fields for hunters, loved to chase rabbits. Birds were only mildly interesting, but rabbits! He was no dummy...he knew he couldn't get a bird, but a rabbit stayed on the ground, and ran, and could be chased. Maybe it was all in the chase. I'll never know, but he surely loved to run in open fields and flush out bunnies. He used to get down in the dry stream beds, where I was certain that someday he'd flush out and get sprayed by a skunk. He never did get skunked, but I have plenty of friends and relatives that have experienced it and were anxious to share their horror stories. Tales of folks not realizing that their dog has been skunked until a moment too late, when the dog has run into the house, given a good shake and promptly jumped on the nearest couch, chair or bed. The better to share the smell and spread it around!
I know of a woman here in town that owns a doggy daycare who's been having multiple horror stories occurring in her place of business. My husband says it's skunk season, when they are waking from their light hibernations. Anyway, this woman sent out an S.O.S., as she was spending a small fortune on shampoos and the old standby - tomato juice. Wouldn't be so bad if they worked, but they typically are very effective.
We suggested that she try BiOWiSH™ Cleaner & Deodorizer 100% organic, it utilizes the unique core BiOWiSH™ Enzyme Technology to quickly remove odors at the molecular level and does not simply mask odors as is common with many deodorants or deodorizers.
Additionally there is a residual action that continues to remove odors in between applications.
A representative from BiOWiSH™ Technologies suggested that this doggy daycare owner mix up a batch of the BiOWiSH™ Cleaner & Deodorizer by adding one of it's sachets to 16 oz. of warm water. Let it set for 15 minutes or so to allow the enzymes to activate. While she waits, she can use a regular shampoo (I always used a no tears generic baby shampoo on my pooch) to clean off some of the oil. After the shampoo is rinsed out, spray the dog's fur thoroughly with the solution of Cleaner and Deodorizer. And If they have, like stories I've heard, infected every nearby surface with skunk odor, the next most cost effective step would be an application of BiOWiSH-Odor™. Made with the same enzyme technology, BiOWiSH-Odor™ benefits include:
· Fast acting
· Removes rather than masks odor
· Cost effective
· Operative at low dosage rates
· Wide range of operative conditions
· Long residual effective period
· Natural anti-microbial action – sanitizes as it works
· 100% organic
· Non-toxic, non-chemical, non-pathogenic
· Harmless to humans and the environment
Since it's enzymes need to be kept moist to remain active, she may benefit by covering those smelly inanimate objects that she's needing to deodorize with a plastic sheet. Once the enzymes dry out, they die out.
The first five people to try this and respond will receive $5.00 off their next order of any BiOWiSH™ Products. Happy composting, and happy deodorizing!
I know of a woman here in town that owns a doggy daycare who's been having multiple horror stories occurring in her place of business. My husband says it's skunk season, when they are waking from their light hibernations. Anyway, this woman sent out an S.O.S., as she was spending a small fortune on shampoos and the old standby - tomato juice. Wouldn't be so bad if they worked, but they typically are very effective.
We suggested that she try BiOWiSH™ Cleaner & Deodorizer 100% organic, it utilizes the unique core BiOWiSH™ Enzyme Technology to quickly remove odors at the molecular level and does not simply mask odors as is common with many deodorants or deodorizers.
Additionally there is a residual action that continues to remove odors in between applications.
A representative from BiOWiSH™ Technologies suggested that this doggy daycare owner mix up a batch of the BiOWiSH™ Cleaner & Deodorizer by adding one of it's sachets to 16 oz. of warm water. Let it set for 15 minutes or so to allow the enzymes to activate. While she waits, she can use a regular shampoo (I always used a no tears generic baby shampoo on my pooch) to clean off some of the oil. After the shampoo is rinsed out, spray the dog's fur thoroughly with the solution of Cleaner and Deodorizer. And If they have, like stories I've heard, infected every nearby surface with skunk odor, the next most cost effective step would be an application of BiOWiSH-Odor™. Made with the same enzyme technology, BiOWiSH-Odor™ benefits include:
· Fast acting
· Removes rather than masks odor
· Cost effective
· Operative at low dosage rates
· Wide range of operative conditions
· Long residual effective period
· Natural anti-microbial action – sanitizes as it works
· 100% organic
· Non-toxic, non-chemical, non-pathogenic
· Harmless to humans and the environment
Since it's enzymes need to be kept moist to remain active, she may benefit by covering those smelly inanimate objects that she's needing to deodorize with a plastic sheet. Once the enzymes dry out, they die out.
The first five people to try this and respond will receive $5.00 off their next order of any BiOWiSH™ Products. Happy composting, and happy deodorizing!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Chickens in Urban Gardens
When I was young we used to get fresh eggs and bushels of apples right off the trees from a small farm in Ontario, Canada. I remember they always tasted so fabulous, and now that I'm grown, and I know how long produce can sit on shelves in storage areas or on trucks or railcars, I know exactly why the food straight from the farmer's doorstep tasted so much better. It made complete sense to me, then, when I read an article about a movement that's been formed here in Denver, Colorado to make getting and keeping a permit for livestock a whole lot easier. The article, called "Fowl lovers unite to streamline Denver chicken laws" by Joel Warner was in The Denver Post on Monday, Mar. 16 2009.
Right now it seems to be a somewhat expensive and time consuming process to get and keep a permit. But personally, I'm all for people being more responsible for their own consumption, so anything that makes that process easier is okay by me. I mean, look at the benefits:
· It's fast acting
· It's cost effective
· It's operative at low dosage rates
· It works in a wide range of operative conditions
· It has a long residual effective period
· It's all natural anti-microbial action – sanitizes as it works
· 100% organic
· and it's harmless to humans and the environment
Maybe I need to share the above with the Denver Community Planning and Development spokesman Julius Zsako. He expects a city council discussion "sometime in the near future".
I think the City Council needs to know about BiOWiSH-Odor™ so they can be relieved of worries on the point of odor issues. Just sayin'. By the way, the article in The Denver Post also expected the proposed changes to-
Right now it seems to be a somewhat expensive and time consuming process to get and keep a permit. But personally, I'm all for people being more responsible for their own consumption, so anything that makes that process easier is okay by me. I mean, look at the benefits:
- You know what you're eating, what's gone into it and what hasn't
- It's fresher
- Growing your own reduces transportation and storage costs and expenses
- It tastes better when you've worked for it
- A sense of accomplishment
- It should be less expensive
· It's fast acting
· It's cost effective
· It's operative at low dosage rates
· It works in a wide range of operative conditions
· It has a long residual effective period
· It's all natural anti-microbial action – sanitizes as it works
· 100% organic
· and it's harmless to humans and the environment
Maybe I need to share the above with the Denver Community Planning and Development spokesman Julius Zsako. He expects a city council discussion "sometime in the near future".
I think the City Council needs to know about BiOWiSH-Odor™ so they can be relieved of worries on the point of odor issues. Just sayin'. By the way, the article in The Denver Post also expected the proposed changes to-
"go through without much of a feathered fight. After all, the city council
voted last November to allow residents to keep beehives in their backyards
and officials seem to be similarly convivial to this proposal.
"I'm for anything that makes the process easier, as long as it's effective,"
says Denver Animal Care and Control's Kelley."
I'd be curious to know just how many people in Denver would really be interested and inclined to have chickens in their urban gardens. I wonder if anybody has studied that? I know I'd like to have some chickens in my garden. They don’t have to take up much room, and oh, for fresh eggs once again!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Calling Out for Recipes
I’ve been here blogging for 53 days and, so far, I have no fans. Does that mean that no body even reads these? I’m thinking maybe not, maybe it doesn’t mean that because last night I was reading a blog written by a woman who quit her 9 to 5 job and moved to a small farm in northern Michigan. I guess I didn’t have to become a fan to read her blog. So maybe there are folks out there who read this. If so, and you have a recipe to share, I hope you’ll let me know. I must say that I’d be thrilled to get ANY recipe, but I am particularly calling out for recipes that will include fresh veggies that I plan to grow in my garden. Even more particularly, but not exclusively, recipes for GREENS.
The reason I bring this up now, when it's still only mid-February and there's still snow on the ground is that I was at Home Depot yesterday perusing the seed packets. Red Swiss Chard caught my eye, partly because the leaves remind me of beet greens, which I love, love, love! But I’ve never cooked Swiss chard before. (Call me backward, if you must!) In my defense, since I’m probably the only one who will put up defense, I know it’s healthy as all get out. Heck, back in the day, I used to juice chard leaves with carrots and apple, sometimes with wheat grass thrown in for added enzyme, free radical kickin’ punch. Few things in life beat the antioxidant rush of freshly juiced veggies! Especially those grown organically, eh?
So I know I can use chard leaves in a juicer, but I would have to redesign my garden for that program big time. Plus, the seed packet of interest indicated that, at least in this variety, the stalks were prized as much as the leaves. What to do with the stalks? For the leaves, I like to steam them until they wilt, then give them a nice, ice cold bath. Chop them up and sauté them in a little olive oil with chopped onion and garlic, add a little salt and pepper and a tsp of bacon drippings for flavor. Simmer for about 10 minutes to let the flavors blend together and it’s ready to eat! Yum!
If you’re out there, reading but not becoming a fan, and would like to share a recipe or two for healthy (I know I forgot to specify healthy before) vegetables, please feel free! I’d love to hear from you!
The reason I bring this up now, when it's still only mid-February and there's still snow on the ground is that I was at Home Depot yesterday perusing the seed packets. Red Swiss Chard caught my eye, partly because the leaves remind me of beet greens, which I love, love, love! But I’ve never cooked Swiss chard before. (Call me backward, if you must!) In my defense, since I’m probably the only one who will put up defense, I know it’s healthy as all get out. Heck, back in the day, I used to juice chard leaves with carrots and apple, sometimes with wheat grass thrown in for added enzyme, free radical kickin’ punch. Few things in life beat the antioxidant rush of freshly juiced veggies! Especially those grown organically, eh?
So I know I can use chard leaves in a juicer, but I would have to redesign my garden for that program big time. Plus, the seed packet of interest indicated that, at least in this variety, the stalks were prized as much as the leaves. What to do with the stalks? For the leaves, I like to steam them until they wilt, then give them a nice, ice cold bath. Chop them up and sauté them in a little olive oil with chopped onion and garlic, add a little salt and pepper and a tsp of bacon drippings for flavor. Simmer for about 10 minutes to let the flavors blend together and it’s ready to eat! Yum!
If you’re out there, reading but not becoming a fan, and would like to share a recipe or two for healthy (I know I forgot to specify healthy before) vegetables, please feel free! I’d love to hear from you!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Have You Heard About Green Roofs?
There was a program, I think on The Discovery Channel (should've written it down, but didn't think of it at the time - obviously!) about two months ago about the concept of greening up roof tops. Some countries in Europe even mandate new buildings have green roofs! This program was filmed in an urban setting, with lots of apartment and office buildings that had flat, tar paper roofs at one time. Many of these roofs had been turned into gardens at the edge of the sky, with a variety of plantlife from mosses to wildflowers, and almost anything in between. The program made some very strong points in favor of this type of gardening because of it's impact on the environment:
Rain is absorbed into and by the plantlife and medium, to be released slowly through evaporation (an additional cooling factor). This reduces the chances of flooding in heaving rain. Additionally, the photosynthesis of the plant life removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere! Imagine if green roofs were required in the U.S.! What an impact it could make on our carbon footprint!
Green roofs also provide insulation to the room(s) below them, keeping it/them cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold. Clearly the insulating nature of green roofs will reduce energy consumption and thereby save on the costs of heating and cooling.
So now I bet, if you have any flat surfaces exposed to the outdoors, whether roof, deck, shed or outbuilding, you're probably thinking that having one of your own is a good idea! If you like the idea of having a green roof and have a large area to work on, you'll want to enlist the help of a structural engineer, and/or a company that makes living roofs. Smaller areas can most likely be tackled on your own. You'll need to keep in mind the structural frame of your roof before deciding on the type of green roof for you. You don't want a lot of heavy garden up there if your roof won't support it!
With that in mind, you should know that there are basically two types of green roofs:
- reducing temperature of the city
- weather protection for the roof
- reducing energy costs
- potential flood reduction
- providing habitat for wildlife - birds, butterflies and bugs
- cleaner air
- providing food
Rain is absorbed into and by the plantlife and medium, to be released slowly through evaporation (an additional cooling factor). This reduces the chances of flooding in heaving rain. Additionally, the photosynthesis of the plant life removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere! Imagine if green roofs were required in the U.S.! What an impact it could make on our carbon footprint!
Green roofs also provide insulation to the room(s) below them, keeping it/them cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold. Clearly the insulating nature of green roofs will reduce energy consumption and thereby save on the costs of heating and cooling.
So now I bet, if you have any flat surfaces exposed to the outdoors, whether roof, deck, shed or outbuilding, you're probably thinking that having one of your own is a good idea! If you like the idea of having a green roof and have a large area to work on, you'll want to enlist the help of a structural engineer, and/or a company that makes living roofs. Smaller areas can most likely be tackled on your own. You'll need to keep in mind the structural frame of your roof before deciding on the type of green roof for you. You don't want a lot of heavy garden up there if your roof won't support it!
With that in mind, you should know that there are basically two types of green roofs:
- A shallowly planted roof (for smaller areas)
- A more deeply planted roof (for larger areas)
Shallowly planted roofs can be planted with lichens, mosses, small alpines, grasses. For deeper planting areas, you might consider wildflowers and some shallow rooted vegetables (or potted, like those fab garbage can potatoes!!) Biodiversity is the idea, to provide more available habitat for the fauna.
Plant in early spring or early fall or you may find that hot weather may defeat your efforts. Use high quality 100% organic compost to provide a perfect blend of nutrients to your plants. Choose the right mix of plants (with suggestions from your friendly neighborhood nursery or college horticulture organization) and your garden will be low maintenance, requiring just a little weeding and deadheading to keep your garden looking great!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Now that we have been composting like gangbustas since last spring, we have a pile of compost that stands approximately 4 x 4 x 3 feet. We also have compost in our tumbler that will overflow a wheelbarrow. Next step, plan the garden! I know what I like to look at in the way of flowers (I always plant a profusion of different color impatients in the front of my house where it’s shady all the time by the porch. What a lovely way to enter a house, past all that color!). I like a lot of color, and something that I can cut and bring into the house in a cut flower arrangement. My first year with a garden in this house, we got rid of the top two feet of soil (aka CLAY) and replaced it with store bought compost, peat and top soil. Then I threw down some zinnia seeds, watered, and BLAM! I had the most magnificent array of color ever! I keep trying to recreate that, but a lot has changed in my yard since I threw those zinnia seeds out. The biggest difference is the amount of shade in my back yard. It’s on the south side of the house, so it gets pounded by summer sun. So to protect the paint on my house, keep cooling energy costs down, and give us some privacy from neighbors, we planted trees. Oh yeah, the kids needed something to climb and the birds and squirrels needed homes. We lived on the prairie! No trees.
Anyway, so now I have tons of shade in my yard, which is great, but it definitely impacts what plants I can grow, right? Then there’s the soil. I don’t know where it goes, but what I put into that 2 foot trench that we excavated along the back fence is no longer an airy mixture of peat, top soil and compost! The sun has baked it and the plants have sucked the nutrients right out of it.
So I figure I'll first address the soil composition question. Stay tuned to see what I do to answer the question: "What kind of soil to I really have and what will grow in it?"
Anyway, so now I have tons of shade in my yard, which is great, but it definitely impacts what plants I can grow, right? Then there’s the soil. I don’t know where it goes, but what I put into that 2 foot trench that we excavated along the back fence is no longer an airy mixture of peat, top soil and compost! The sun has baked it and the plants have sucked the nutrients right out of it.
So I figure I'll first address the soil composition question. Stay tuned to see what I do to answer the question: "What kind of soil to I really have and what will grow in it?"
Sunday, January 3, 2010
It's a new year and I'm determined to learn how to video tape with my camera so that I can include video testimonial to my blog, my facebook account and my websites. I made a video yesterday of my compost pile. I know! How exciting, eh? I really wanted to demonstrate how active my compost pile is even in these cooooolddd winter days and nights. Here in Colorado we've been experiencing winter days with temperatures in the upper 20's and lower 30's. Nights have been logging single digit temps to as high as lower 20's. So you can imagine what the average, run-of-the-mill compost bin/tumber/pile might look like....a frozen heap of scraps/leaves/paper/brownish gunk. But (!) not our compost pile! Oh no! Even though our pile is on the north west side of our house and lacking in much sunlight, it's been showing a reading of temperatures of like 120 degrees F and slightly higher! Whoa! That compost is cookin'! And of course I attribute that temperature to the100% organic, powerful enzyme based BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost that we put into the mix on December 22nd, 2009. I'm going to give my niece a call now to find out if she can help me with the splicing and editing of my video. Then, I'll attach it for all of you out there to see!
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