I have a secret, I make dirt. I know, it’s kind of a small-god, pompous thing to do. But, it makes me feel ‘potent, so it’s what I do. Actually, my dirt here is really rich and heavy (too much clay) so it needs new dirt or compost to make it lighter. When making dirt it’s all about balance, pH balance, and give and take. When you add coffee grounds (acid) you need to add a base (ash). Yin and yang equals happy new dirt. Let me show ya.
My compost pile is still tired after a hard winter. I will turn it over today, mix in some of that ash from our wood stove, add some good stuff out of my stink-bucket and more manure to get things heated up for spring.
Stink-bucket is a second generation word. I named it that when I was a kid, in total disdain of the chore of emptying the darn thing that housed the kitchen waste that the dogs and cats couldn’t eat. All the way out to my family’s compost pile I would carry on this monologue…’when I get old, I will live in the city, with no gardens, no compost piles or stink buckets.’ Then I grew up. And discovered I needed therapy, because of my childhood chores. So I moved back to the country, started a compost pile and a garden because it’s cheaper than therapy. Our boys have already promised they won’t have a stink bucket or a compost pile either. Little do they know…they will grow up and NEED therapy too and the catch 22 will start all over again. Ain’t life swell? Phnicker Phnicker Phnicker
Where was I? ONWARD! Ingredients, for making new dirt. Old dirt: an example of what the new dirt will be when it grows up. Kitchen scraps: from the stink bucket. Yard and garden waste: leaves, grass clippings, etc. Manure: I use cow, since there are more cows here than people. Feel free to use chicken, horse, or whatever. Water. And Time, an insane amount of time.
If you don’t have all the ingredients, that’s okay, you can be one of those liberated dirt makers. Mix well, sprinkle with water and let bake in the sun stirring occasionally. On cool mornings your pile may steam, that is a good sign, that means the dirt factory is open and the new dirt workers are breaking down the ingredients. Don’t use your compost until the workers go on strike or get laid off and the steam stops.
This is what my compost pile looked like after I turned it. Note the manure has ran down hill (I guess a new dirt maker must have came up with that saying.)
…and that’s how you make dirt! Congratulations, you don’t need therapy. Won’t your mama be proud? Sprinkle freely on your garden and in your life.
Simply,
Sis
Tags: compost, dirt, gardening, organic, organic gardening, recycling scraps, soil
I used to have to dump the stink bucket, too. And I now live in the city (if you want to call it that) and I will NOT have a compost pile! I do, however, take advantage of the city’s compost pile and donate to it frequently. Do you think I’ll need therapy?
Depends on who you ask, I guess. phicker phicker Needing something is relative isn’t it?
I think some people just need a good dog/cat and a hot water bottle.
Curious…You don’t have a cow, so where in the hoodif did you get the cow manure?
When you feed a wheat harvest crew at a feedlot…it’s not hard to come up with some manure. It’s more like *arm up in the air*save the watch.
Love how you take daily stuff, compost it and relate it to real life and what is happening in the world. Mama
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