Thinking about the Compost
Today I am going to begin contemplating my new compost pile. This is a bonus week because I was so harried from in-laws and travel that I only posted one post. So, this week, you get three, yes, three posts for the price of two. Big bargain! That means you can head on over to the compost supplies page and stock up. Ok, on with business. Business is so hard when I am sitting in Florida in the sun. I might have to do a post later this week about the lovely plant life out the window. The landscaping around the neighborhood is beautiful, but the most beautiful view is the slough, a wetland with a native Florida Oak-Palm hammock. Even in January, there are butterflies flitting around and dragonflies. Love it!
However, when I get home on Tuesday, my chilly North Carolina garden awaits me, as well as large piles of leaves I have been too lazy to pick up. I need to start thinking about setting up the compost pile. I need to decide between several different types. Perhaps some of you will have some help. First, I will post my “gardening profile.” Then, on Wednesday, I will examine the various types of compost heaps that fit my profile. (A little compost heap speed dating, if you will.) Friday, I’m not sure what I’ll do. Stay tuned.
Profile of a Gardener with Eyes Bigger than her Backyard
- Hello, my name is Katie and I am a flower addict. There, whew, I said it. I love veggies, especially growing my own, but I loooooovvvvveee flowers. There is nothing more wonderful than sitting on my couch, reading a book with my dog napping next to me and looking out the window at my pretty flower garden. Annuals, perennials, bulbs, flowering shrubs, you name it–if it has a pretty flower, I love it. (I’m not into those weird bat-flower thingys.)
- I like to garden in extended spurts and then leave the garden alone for, oh, I don’t know, a week? Maybe two? So, I can garden for six hours at a time, once every week or so. The rest of the time, I’m typing sparklingly witty blog posts!
- I do not currently own a wheelbarrow. I move everything around in these big trug tubs.
- I also do not have a leaf shredder or a blower. (God forbid I get a blower. I personally think blowers should be illegal. Waste of gas, noise pollution and totally pointless.)
- I do have a husband that likes to “help” in the garden! (He likes to buy one of everything. I always have to go back and buy about ten more.) However, file this as a “resource.”
- My soil is typical coastal sandy soil. Really sandy. Like, our visitors step out the back door and say “I didn’t know you lived on the beach!”
- I want to grow flowers and vegetables with my compost.
- I want compost that will not catch on fire, but will break down fairly quickly.
- My backyard has more shade than sun, but we do have some out of the way sunny spots, as well.
So, that is my “gardener” profile. Wednesday, I’m going to look at some composting methods that meet this profile, i.e. a lazy plant addict with a hunky, gardener-type husband and no wheelbarrow. I will take any and all help!
Disclaimer: That picture is not my husband; however, it is a close approximation.
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