Every season brings inspiration for creativity and in April we begin to think about gardening. It is too early to plant, however, we can prepare our raised beds and fill them with cardboard, branches, small logs, and leaves.
This past Saturday morning, we bundled up against the cold and went to the recycling center for compost, rich in decomposed leaves, pinecones, grasses, and brush dropped off by residents. The facility manages the compost using a “windrow” system. That is a new vocabulary word for me. According to Merriam-Webster, it is a long, narrow row of brush material that aids decomposition. Another illustration I could relate to is driving past fields of cut hay drying out in long rows, or windrows, before baling.
Once the material has decomposed, it is mounded into a large pile for residents to bring their own shovels and use again in their gardens. When we pulled in, people were on one side, dropping off their brush material with their trailers and trucks. We went around the corner to see a rich, dark, beautiful mound of compost, loamy dirt. With each shovel full, we threw it into our trailer. So thankful for communities that reuse decaying materials to grow gardens and keep them out of landfills.
We also add our own compost from the kitchen and the chicken coop, which we store in plastic compost bins near the garden and turn throughout the year, even in winter. They absorb the sun’s heat and naturally decompose to be used this time of year. The hens have done their share of work aerating the soil, pecking through the kitchen compost, and keeping us company.
We added organic garden soil, which was on sale, to the top few inches of the beds. The only seeds we can plant outside now are sugar snap peas; the rest are started in a small greenhouse. One of my daughters-in-law and I enjoy sharing plants and seeds. This year, she gave me some mini red bell peppers, pepperoncini peppers, and Bells of Ireland. Last year, small hands helped us, and we were surprised to find that what we thought were Bells of Ireland were actually straw flowers!
Just for fun, I planted peanut seeds in starter pots. I do enjoy having plants in our northern garden that reflect my southern roots.
On a visit to our favorite family garden center, we purchased tomato seedlings, herbs, green bell peppers, celery, red onions, and a few flowers. We also planted a bare-root “summer serenade” peach tree, with a deer fence around to match its neighbor, the Ida Red apple, which we bought last year.
Art and writing continue, but what a wonderful time of year to spend outside and balance the hours spent creating. The garlic planted in the fall has sprouted, a sign of spring hopefulness. Digging in the dirt enhances creativity, whether I am planning the garden or preparing a new work of art.
Do you enjoy planting a garden? What do you start from seeds, and what plants do you buy at your garden center? Please feel free to leave your comments below.
