Sometimes, Gardening is Ugly
I ran into a dilemma as I considered including photos of myself on this blog. You see, I almost NEVER look good when I garden. In this picture, I hadn’t showered for two days. Why shower and put on cute clothes when you’re about to go spread manure around?
Typically, I wear a bandana to keep my hair back (hence my icon girl), but today was really sunny and a bit cold. So I swapped my normal head-wear for this ski cap. I didn’t purposely mix a purple shirt, grey pants with an orange stripe, and green gloves–that kind of fashion is just a gift!
Another ugly part of gardening–compost. Today I went to Wal-Mart to buy some for my gardens. I bought 9 bags of steer manure compost, and 3 bags of chicken manure compost. It cost about $20. I don’t think I’ll need to spend any more (cheers are heard in the background).
I tilled the beds with my pitchfork, revealing a HUGE colony of earthworms. I can’t explain it, since the entire strip of ground under my gardens is covered in weed mat. But earthworms I have–my son was in heaven playing with “wormie,” who is apparently his new best friend.
Tomorrow I will plant my peas. I can’t wait! Happy gardening!
Thanks for making it real and letting us all in on your gardening duds! You just gotta love gardening!!!!
I have lots of pictures of my beds on the site, but I haven’t figured out a way to organize that stuff yet. Perhaps I’ll add a page of photos. Watch for a new tab in the next day or so!
I would love to see a picture of all your planter beds. This would be very helpful. We are building some more. Were your beds expensive to put together?
I took you advise and planted peas on Saturday. It was mostly to keep the kids happy, but I was pretty excited too. While I was in IFA today I stumbled upon some onion sets. I have never used these before so I snagged an associate to get the low down. She recommend planting them right now. I was curious if that was true? Also what do you do with the left over sets? I don’t plan on plating all 100 hundred bulbs. Can I keep them in a cool dark place until next year or are these a one time use only?
I love that you’re not afraid to admid it had been two days since you showered–it happens to us all!!!
The main difference is the source of manure. In his book Mel encourages us to use as many different types of compost as possible. That way you will have a balance of nutrients in your “soil.”
Yay for posting a pic of yourself gardening – at least you’re wearing a pretty purple fitted shirt .. I usually work in the yard in some nasty big tee shirt and day-old hair pulled back in a pony tail – umm – not pretty! 😉
What’s the difference between the 2 different composts that you bought? Also, 12 bags for $20 seems like a great price!