Compost

One of the things I like to do on this "earthly plane" is make compost. For some reason I find the transformation of discarded vegetation and kitchen scraps into something very benefical for the garden a worhwhile pursuit. A friend of mine once commented that one of the more satisfying aspects from his gardening experience was to go into the garden on a cool morning and see "steam" rising from the compost heap! Over the years I have made many "batches" of compost and occassionally witnessed the "steam". I am somewhat hands off with the composting process which probably leads to longer "cycle time" with respect to getting to the finished product. I occassionally go out and turn the pile or empty the bin when the mood hits so I guess I "manage" the compost in a somewhat "haphazard" way? But eventially in turns into the organic material I want it to so the outcome is pure and good. This year my son is going to make me a compost barrel that can be turned with a handle. This will considerably speed up the process. Writing about compost reminds of my role in the garden. My wife is an "earth goddess" in every sense of the word with wonderful gardening abilities. She is the planter and boss of the garden. I am the earth mover, tiller, compost maker, rasberry cane thinner, prunner and fall clean up person. I also assist with planting sometimes. Some of the most satisfying moments in the garden for me have been early on a summer morning with the both of us "toiling" in the garden before it becomes too hot. There is something very "right" about those moments that incorporates a connection to the earth and to each other as a couple. My horoscope has indicated that I should be spending more time with trees this year...both the real ones and the family tree-family and relatives etc. I am fasinated with the concept that trees have individual DNA's thus making each tree unique. This fact makes it more difficult for me to "manage" the garden by cutting down trees when necessary (saplings etc) A few weeks ago I cut down a cedar tree next to our front driveway and entrance to the house that was growing too tall and was basically choking itself out growth wise for the first 10 feet of it's "trunk" We had talked about taking it down in 2006 but I could not face the chore. This year I decided the job must be done and went out and got my prunning tools. I apologized to the tree and cut it down in sections. It was about 20 ft high and based on counting the rings about 24 years old. I left a branch on the stump and tied it up so it will grow straight up. I am anticipating the tree will still be alive and come back as a much more manageable growth. Taking the tree down has really opened up the front of our house and much more light is entering our living room which is a good thing. Our garden ebbs and flows through the season. Continually changing and evolving the cycles of nature are represented. I often think a person's garden (and how they interact with it) reflects on how they lead their lives? I might need to spend some more time on this subjec in a future blog?