Time for a gardening update. I know this looks like probably the most boring photo I've ever published on CW but its tells a story. A story with a lot of work. That compost heap (which is very compact BTW) took most of Saturday, and a lot of cuts and scratches, to construct. The property looks tidier for it too. All those little piles of leaves and branches around the property went into it. As soon as I can get my hands on some, I'll cover it with black plastic to trap in the heat and moisture. Hopefully by spring I'll have a pile of usable mulch.
The two black drums are both full with a spicy mix of grass, leaves, donkey poo, food scraps, and windfall apples. It must be brewing away nicely. When I first filled them I packed as much material in there as I could. I jumped up and down on top of each one to pack it down. After a few months I've had to top them up twice as it turns to compost.
And then theres the bath. I got it for free yesterday, from the local buy/sell/swap weekly. All I had to do was pick it up. That was not as easy as it sounds. The thing is very heavy, thick cast iron. I dragged my friend Devon along and between us we could only move it a few short shuffles at a time. We nearly caused a hernia getting it into the van. I'm going to turn it into a worm farm. I've seen this demonstrated recently and they work a treat. With a few thousand of these little fellas (tiger worms)...
...and a supply of food scraps, newspaper, and garden rubbish (and pretty much anything else organic) I can create a steady supply of quality fertiliser in the form of worm castings. With a tray placed under the plug hole of the bath I'll also be able to collect 'worm juice' which, when diluted and applied to the ground around plants creates vigorous growth. I've heard it described as 'rocket fuel for plants'. My cabbages seem to agree.
9:29:20 PM 
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