The Compost Pile

One of the best aspects of gardening is the ability for a gardener to compost what he or she doesn't need and use it for the next season. I thought it would be interesting to make a page that talks about compost as well as recycling old gardening ideas to give readers a great experience in the garden.

Picture taken from: HouseLogic

Composting is a method used by gardeners to regain a fertile, nutrient rich soil by piling up used organic matter and letting it break down over time by means of small organisms like worms and bugs. There is also a little effort required by the gardener. There are many methods to composting but a great and simple way to get started is to simply take all of the organic kitchen scraps and put them in a pile outside somewhere by your garden. These scraps could include fruit and vegetable skins, egg shells, and newspaper. Never use meat or bones. After awhile begin to rotate the pile with a shovel or small tractor. This will help to disperse the scraps and make the composting proceed faster. You will notice black dirt beginning to form and eventually it will be ready to use again! Keep adding to the pile to get more and more rich, new soil.

Please look back for new posts and gardening ideas. Enjoy!


EGG Cartons and Yogurt Cups are items to save in the kitchen if you don't want want to spend extra money at the garden center looking for kits to germinate seeds in. Simply poke a few holes in the bottom of the yogurt cups and lay a piece of newspaper in the bottom. This allows for better drainage. Then fill with dirt and plant you plants! 3/25/12

Recycling Wooden Pallets can be a very useful way to organize your garden if you find that you have run out of space or if you need to just try something new. I found a site recently that provided several neat pictures for using pallets in the garden to make raised beds, compost bins, or simply a cool container to grow plants in if your in smaller suburban area. Click the link below to check out pictures of what some gardeners have done with extra pallets. 

35 Amazing Uses for Old Pallets


Here are some other helpful tips and tricks when gardening! I find these while scanning the web and hopefully they can be of some use to you and your gardening enterprise!

2/26/12
From Popular Mechanics:

1. Try wrapping tool handles with grip tape to help minimize blisters and fatigue.
2. Put corncobs in other places around your house to help keep squirrels out of the garden. 

Rain Barrels and other water collection devices can be placed under the eves of your house and to collect water during large rain events. This water can accumulate quickly and depending how much is used to water plants, it can last a long time.

• You can check around town for old barrels, wooden or plastic. These can hold a large amount of water. It may be nice to elevate the barrel and install a spicket on the bottom of the barrel. The barrel can them be opened and closed like a faucet to fill watering cans, etc. 
• Five gallon pals that have been cleaned out also make great containers. They are smaller and easier to carry around. 
• You can also use something like an old cast iron bath tub or a trough from a farm supply shop. 

Just a few ideas. Enjoy.