green, brown, black

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It’s green material season. Finally. The first batch of grass clippings, much needed. The compost pile that I started in the winter with shredded leaves and coffee grounds wasn’t heating up as much as I like, so half of the clippings went into it, and the other half went into a new pile of more shredded leaves, coffee grounds and clippings.

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tools of the trade

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After the frost took out quite a few of my onion seedlings, I replenished the rows and mulched with shredded leaves like I should have done in the first place. The mulch can’t be very thick because the seedlings are small, but shredded leaves last a while and do a good job of keeping down weeds and keeping moisture in, even with just a couple of inches. And I think a mulch might have given a little more frost protection too.

they're in there, trust me

they’re in there, trust me

I’m also sprouting a new batch of corn seeds. This time I won’t take any chances with iffy germination.

Pre-sprouting is why all the snow pea seeds that I planted are popping through. You know they’re good seeds when you can see the roots growing before you plant them.

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16 thoughts on “green, brown, black”

  1. I think you’re right on the money with the pre-germination Dan. I’ve done the same this year with peas and beans and ended up with all the plants I want growing healthily in the ground (for now at least!). Bill

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  4. I have to say, there is something about a good compost pile that makes my heart go pitter patter. I think it is the notion of turning garbage, stuff that is ordinarily considered waste and a problem to deal with, into amazing, valuable, nutrient rich, better-than-what-you-can-buy-at-the-store fertilizer for the garden that you would otherwise have to pay good money for. I think it is so amazing. Sigh.

    Anyway, do you hoard fallen leaves from Autumn to add to your spring and summer compost piles? What do you use for browns in the Green-Seasons? And I think you have a wormfarm, too? Do you find the two processes to be complimentary or completely seperate from each other? I tend to think the two systems would compete for the the kitchen scraps, no? How do you keep everyone/thing happy? Curious minds want to know 🙂

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    • Thats a great way to explain why compost is so lovable!

      I collect as many leaves as possible in the fall for use during the summer, because it’s so hard to find brown material in the warm months. I fill the compost bins that are emptied in the fall with shredded leaves.

      And the worms are pretty much a separate enterprise. I only have one bin’s worth. They get fed first, and whatever’s left goes into the compost. I haven’t had any problems making plenty of waste for both. Now with chickens in the picture too there might be a fight for the garbage 🙂

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  5. This posts just lights me up! I get positively giddy in March when I can (finally) harvest some green from an otherwise useless turf lawn. I also hoard leaves and other brown (cardboard) through the winter months. My husband hates my habit, though. LOL

    Great post. You’re my kind of gardener.

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    • Haha, thanks Shannon! It’s good to know that someone else doesn’t think it’s weird to look forward to collecting mowed grass. Maybe our spouses put up with it because deep down they know that our eccentricities lead to those unbeatable vegetables and fruits. 🙂

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