28th January 2023

Organic matter re-energises the soil.

One of the joys of gardening is recycling and making compost is a simple way to close the circle on waste and re-energise the soil. By adding all your kitchen and garden waste to the compost bin, you are saving it from going to landfill and the resultant mulch is great for the garden.

We’re a household of 2 and every week I save in the region of 2 kgs of organic kitchen waste, which goes into the compost bin, along with any cuttings from the garden.

How to make compost

Making compost is simple. There are just a few things to bear in mind.

1. Only add uncooked kitchen waste to your compost bin.
2. Layer your green waste with cardboard torn into small pieces or shredded paper
3. Any chicken litter or sawdust from the cages of your children’s pets will help activate the process.
4. Please don’t add plastic to your compost
5. Make sure your compost bin is open to the ground beneath it. The worms will make their way up through the soil below the bin and start digesting the organic matter.

Worms are the superheroes of the garden and in a few months you will have a wonderful rich mix of crumbly composted black gold, to return to the garden.

During the winter months, cover the beds with a mulch of your homemade compost. All the organic goodness contained in the compost will help re-energise the soil and the worm activity will keep it aerated and ready for planting.

Recently, I shared the process with our neighbours ‘s children and was delighted at how engaged they were with the process. A handful of compost, rich with wriggly worms, raked from the bottom of the compost bin was a highlight.

I have created a little eBook for you to share with your children.

Spring is on its way

1st February

Imbolc

Imbolc or Imbolg is the feast day of St. Brigid and is called Laa’l Breeshey in Manx. It is one of four Gaelic seasonal festivals and marks the beginning of spring. It is halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox.

Flower growers have been sitting on their hands for months, resisting the urge to sow and going through their seed catalogues whilst planning the layout of their flower beds. This is where seed packets can be so confusing! I’ve been told by more than one source that the 18th February is the time to sow. I’m counting the days. Those seeds that require stratification (a period of cold) are in a sealed plastic bag in the fridge. 18th February is ringed on the calendar that hangs on the pantry door. The seed trays are filled and ready in the greenhouse.

One little tip that may make all the difference to successful germination, is to use tap water to water your seed trays. I have a water butt outside my greenhouse and in the past years have used that to water my seedlings. I understand now that the bacteria in the water

2nd Feb

Cover your soil to keep it healthy. Mulch it with your homemade compost! All that wonderful goodness captured in the compost will be released and the worm activity will keep the soil aerated and ready for planting.