I was asked to pass along a message from one of my readers. This is a wonderful opportunity for local readers of TBG. I was happy to oblige. Here it is:

If anyone needs aged manure for their gardens or flower beds, I have plenty to give away. All you need to do is come out and get some. It’s been sitting for 2 years so it’s basically humus. Bring your own bags or truck. I’ll load your truck, you load your own bags….

If you want a few bags or a dump truck load, just message me and we can work the details out……e-mail address…sales@flipmeisters.com

I’ll be happy to reply to any and all requests.

Thank you for the generous offer. And all I ask my readers is that they save a little for me. I’d love to hear from anyone who takes advantage of this opportunity.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I have decided on my winter composting plans. I first mentioned a few days ago I was not certain what method I was planning. http://www.blogsmonroe.com/backyard/?p=557

I decided to use one of my existing large compost barrels. My original concern was the top may freeze shut. I think I will add a door pull to the lid to make it easier to remove in the cold temperatures. Currently I grab the sides of the lid and lift it off. That may be difficult with gloves on. I think I will appreciate the handle in all seasons.

If the weather makes the large barrel impractical I can always alter my plans later. The weather will be the deciding factor.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

With colder weather coming soon I have to decide on my composting routine. The will not be as much going into compost since it will only be coming from inside the house.

I could just start a small container for compost material I will generate over these colder months. The plus to this is that it can be stored near the back door to make disposal quick when the weather is nasty.

My other option is just to be sure there is enough room left for the next few months in my current barrel. I am usually out in the yard filling bid feeders anyway. The biggest concern is making sure the lid will come off when covered with ice and snow. I think adding a different handle to the lid would help solve that potential problem.

I will decide soon. I will post my decision as well as a few winter composting tips soon.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Tonight after the last trick or treater goes to sleep and the Halloween parties end, we are left with great material to add to the compost pile.

The jack o lanterns can go in the compost pile. The cornstalks can be chopped into smaller pieces and be added also. The straw bales will make great mulch for next years garden. Even straw that has gotten wet will still make good mulch. I would recommend leaving in the garden all winter so it will be there, ready and waiting, in the spring.

If you have multiple bales of straw they can be piled to offer shelter to animals this winter. It may be a good way to offer shelter to the birds near a feeder. Many other animals may appreciate it as well. Whatever you decide to do, just remember those items are too good to just throw away. If you do not have a place for them maybe a neighbor will. All that stuff is like gold to a gardener.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I was recently asked my opinion regarding leaves. The questions included whether it was a good idea to mulch leaves back into the lawn, my thoughts on burning leaves and any other thoughts I might have.

Mulching leaves right back to your lawn with your mulching mower can work quite well. The main concern I have regarding this is the amount of leaves you’re working with. If there are a moderate amount of leaves scattered about, mulching is a simple solution. If the leaves are concentrated heavily in one area it will take a little more effort. There may be areas where there are no leaves present. Simply moving some leaves to that area for mulching will provide two benefits. Leaves can be mulched in areas that otherwise wouldn’t receive them and it will keep a thinner mulch layer possible. I would be very careful when trying to mulch leaves that cover the whole lawn area in excess.

I absolutely hate the idea of burning leaves. It can cause harm to our environment. It also can be very harmful to those in the area with allergies and breathing problems. Leaves are usually disposed of this way because people don’t consider them to be an asset. Leaves are very valuable and have many uses.

Composting is the most obvious choice for using fallen leaves. They can be piled up and used in your compost pile. Leaves also can be used as a mulch around plants to help protect them during the winter months. They can be used in the spring as a garden mulch also. Even for those who don’t have any use for the leaves have some options. Many municipalities accept them and some will even pick them up. There are many gardeners who would be happy to have extra leaves at their disposal. I know of farmers who will use leaves as a source of bedding material in the fall. I have even seen where bagged leaves will be kept out of the elements and used as bedding for animals into the winter months. The possibilities are endless. But there is always be someone somewhere happy to use those leaves.

No matter how you use (or dispose of) your leaves, try to make it an environmentally friendly choice. And don’t forget to clean all those leaves out of the gutters and landscape beds and anywhere else you don’t want them.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Another weekend is almost over. I was able to get through a couple of projects this weekend. I’ll be sharing them with you later this week. At this moment I’m happy because there appears to be no rain in the forecast this week.

I have not been able to get anything done in my vegetable garden since June. It poured down rain the last Saturday in June as we were leaving out of town. More heavy rain occurred while we were gone. When I arrived back home the garden was underwater in spots. The puddles went away but more rain last week kept it too wet to work in. It is finally drying out.

Tomorrow I will take my garden back from those pesky weeds. The mulch helps so much. If it weren’t for the mulch I would have a mess! I also have other odd jobs out there as well. My cantaloupes need some fencing to keep them somewhat contained. The gourds will have to be checked to be sure they’re staying in their cages. The cucumbers will be needing that as well.

The only problem I have with the weeds is they’re getting tall. I don’t want to just dump them in the compost pile. I’ll take the time to shred them before I add them. This will speed their decomposition.

I’m sure I’ll find more to do as I get into it. But the more I find, the longer I can spend doing what I enjoy.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I’m now harvesting lettuce out of the garden. It feels nice to begin reaping the rewards of the work.

Tomorrow I’ll put the last seeds in the ground. I left a short row empty for a later planting of green beans. The first sowing is thriving so it’s time for another planting.

I wonder how long it will take me to decide to try and add just one more thing?

I’ve done a couple of new thing this year. I’ve planted some extra zucchini in the pots of compost in the center of my tomato plant groupings. I’ll see if I can get something out of them as well as using them as a way to add nutrients to the tomatoes.

The other thing was plant a hill of cantaloupe inside an open barrel of unfinished compost. The cantaloupe are of a small variety and I think they will stay on the vine as it climbs out of the barrel. We’ll see. I can always support them if need be.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Once you have decided a raised bed is right for you it’s time to get started.

The first thing is to decide where the bed will be located. A raised bed can be placed anywhere, even over a solid surface such as concrete. Any spot with enough sun for whatever it is you decide to plant will work fine.

Just remember, if you put a raised bed over a solid surface, a layer of gravel will be needed to promote drainage. Try to avoid placement too close to a large tree. The tree’s roots will try to grow up into the rich soil of your bed.

When the location has been decided, it’s time to decide on size. It is best not to make a bed over four feet wide. A wider bed makes it difficult to reach the middle.

A bed can be built of many different materials including natural stone and precast wall stones. The most popular choice seems to be wood or the newer “plastic lumber” that is now available. Do not use pressure treated lumber. Use a wood with natural longevity such as cedar, redwood or cypress.

When building a raised bed out of lumber, here are the basics: Purchase the lumber and cut it to size. Predrill the holes and fasten the bed together with screws. Support braces are used to secure the multiple stacks of the bed together to reach the desired height. Pipes driven into the ground and secured to the bed with pipe hangers keep the bed stationary. Pipes can be mounted just to the lumber of a bed positioned on a solid surface. These pipes should be positioned across from one another.

These pipes act as a support for an overhead framework for row covers, shade cloth or frost protection. Insert a smaller diameter rod into the pipe and the other end into the opposing pie to form arches. These arches will support your various materials.

After the bed is built it can be filled with a soil and compost mix. You will first want to add rock for drainage if on a solid site. Hardware cloth can be installed on the bottom as well to prevent rodents from tunneling into the bed. A thick layer of newspaper or landscape fabric can be added if desired to prevent weeds from coming through. After the soil mix is added it can be watered in. Allow it to settle for a day or two and you’re ready to plant.

Raised beds can be planted with most anything you would plant in a vegetable garden. Some vining plants can even be added and trained up a trellis system. Heavy mulching will help retain moisture and prevent weeds.

I’m planning on building a raised bed to grow additional raspberries. The options are nearly limitless.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

What types of things can be added to a compost pile? Many things from the house as well as the yard and garden.

I keep a five quart ice cream pail under the kitchen sink. This is where I keep all the kitchen scraps until it is emptied into the compost pile.

Most kitchen scraps can be composted. Examples include spoiled fruits and vegetables, fruit and vegetable scraps, stale bread, peanut shells and coffee grounds to name a few. You’ll be amazed at how many things can be composted.

Meat scraps are not recommended for composting, or anything with high salt or sugar contents.

Shredded paper makes a wonderful addition to the compost pile. With a heavy duty paper shredder you can even shred light cardboard. From cereal boxes to cake mix boxes- and everything in between.

Adding a layer of shredded paper on top of kitchen scraps helps to keep any odors down.

Weeds, small pruning scraps and garden waste can be added to the pile. Sod scraps, straw and pine needles can be added as well. You will find many items to add from your yard and garden.

I add some grass clippings and leaves, but use those mostly for garden mulch.

An occasional addition of fertile soil adds beneficial “stuff” to the pile.

As your container fills up, turn the material occasionally. I found that a second container is a great help. The compost mixes well while being shoveled from one container to another. You may even find yourself wanting to add a third container. This is helpful to start a new batch while the other is being mixed between two containers.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

How do I start composting?

I have been asked that question a number of times. It is very easy to do. But before I describe how to go about it, lets talk about how it works.

Decomposition of organic matter is a natural process. We can speed it up by composting. This is done by adding a variety of items to the pile while maintaining some control over heat and moisture.

Heat is created in the composting process. When heat is lost in a compost pile it needs to be turned and mixed. Try to keep the materials as moist as a wrung out sponge.

I began my first compost pile in a garbage can. That is still the method I use today.

Start by finding a suitable location for your container. Add a layer of soil or sand in the bottom to keep the container from blowing over in the wind. Keeping the lid secured keeps the rain out as well as any wild visitors.

In part two I will provide a list of some items for composting. Some tips will be included to help you be successful.

I’ll see you in the backyard!