Composting

As I mentioned in my last post, composting is a wonderful way to reduce waste in the landfills and create a nutrient rich dirt. Compost can be added to soil as a valuable amendment and it helps retain moisture.

Although I've been gardening for years, I procrastinated on composting. I had this misconception that a compost pile would stink, be messy and attract rodents and pests. I also thought that there was a scientific formula for making the perfect compost mix. Now that I've experienced composting, I wish I had more piles. I will nickname myself "the greedy composter".

I traditionally keep two composting piles at a time. One pile is for immediate use and the 2nd is a work in process. There are many different types of composting. But, here's my simple and easy recipe: 50/50. That's it! 50% Brown and Dry matter and 50% Green and Moist. If I'm a little off on the recipe, no worries. My dirt is almost always yummy.

What is brown and dry? These are Carbon-Rich materials like straw, pine needles, dry grass clippings, dried leaves, sawdust and newspaper.

What's green and moist? These materials are high in nitrogen, like vegetable and fruit scraps, alfalfa pellets, coffee grounds, tea bags, green plant clippings, hair and feathers.

I follow a few Never, Ever rules. Never compost meats, grease, dairy, dog and cat feces, and poisonous plants, ie: oleander, salt cedar.


An excellent composting book, worth the read, is "Let It Rot". It can be purchased on Amazon.com. Also, The Tucson Organic Gardeners at http://tucson.com/nonprofits/TOG has some exceptional information on organic gardening and composting.


When I compost I feel empowered. I know I'm reducing our household waste and making a valuable product to nourish my fruits and vegetables. I am contributing to a natural process, the circle of growth and life. If composting is part of my gardening regiment, I must ask myself ...... if more people gardened, would we change the world? I believe we would.

Are growing your own vegetables or flowers, more expensive than purchasing them?

I recently had a conversation with friends about the financial commitment to gardening. We discussed the costs for seeds, dirt, containers, tools, possibly fencing. The list can go on and on. As a business, gardening has now become a multi-billion dollar industry.

I've spent years experimenting in my garden, read many books and quizzed master gardeners. It appears that most of our needed items can be relatively inexpensive. If you plan ahead and practice patience, you will probably find that many of your gardening requirements are close to or already in our home.

Your initial set-up requires the most work. If it's your first year at gardening, you might want to borrow some tools, like shovels, rakes, etc. from family or friends. You can bring them fresh produce or flowers to thank them for their help. For inexpensive, used, gardening tools, try http://www.craigslist.org/. There's an entire category dedicated to farm + garden. Try shopping at hardware stores in August or visit some garage sales. You may find some great treasures.

Dirt, glorious dirt! Dirt is extremely important. The quality of your soil will dictate a large portion of your gardening success. You can purchase some yummy expensive, organic, vegetable and flower compost. Or, you can make your own. The local public library has numerous books on composting or just google it. I have my own, easy, composting recipes that I will share at a later date. You can compost in a clean garbage can (I did not say new, just clean), a large pot or even a hole in the ground. Try an unused toy box or an out-of-the-way planter. If you start now, you'll have some excellent soil by August. Just in time for your fall planting!


Seeds and plants can require a financial investment. If you grow heirloom plants, you'll be able to harvest and replant your seeds next season. Some "big box" stores are now having two-for-one sales on seeds, herbs and vegetable plants. It's a great time to stock up, but remember to read the seed packet's expiration date. Local farmer's markets sometimes buy seed in bulk and then resell smaller packets at reasonable prices.

The largest investment, by far, is our time. I don't want to put a financial value on the hours I spend in my garden. To me, gardening is an investment in my health, my family and my community. I'm becoming self sufficient, lowering my carbon footprint, reducing waste and having fun. Gardening can be a mental and physical release from our daily lives. Share the fun and share the bounty.

So..... my question is: If more people gardened, would we change the world? I believe we would.

What does "Eating Local" mean?

What does "eating local" mean? Is it eating at locally owned restaurants, shopping at farmer's markets, or grazing in your backyard? With more emphasize on where our food is grown, I find it comforting to walk through a farmer's market and know these vendors are from within 250 miles of my home. Whether it's free range chickens, grass fed beef or natural produce, I enjoy knowing the names and faces that provide fuel for my body.

I relish the publishing of a veggie's origin on a restaurant menu and I respect the owner's choice to spend a little more for quality. Am I willing to eat out less frequently for a better product and physical experience? Absolutely! One of the more effective means to show our support is with our financial choices.

Supermarket packaged foods have served a purpose of convenience. But, are these processed foods in our best interest? If you haven't yet watched it, FOOD INC is a fabulous movie based on the quality of America's food and it's origin. www.foodincmovie.com/trailer-and-phtos-phy
This movie changed my son's request for fast food. Wow! Now that's worth the rental fee.

We have control over our food. Our purchasing power speaks loud and clear.

So, I must ask myself...... if more people gardened, would we change the world? I believe we would.

Tucson farmer markets locations and times: www.visittucson.org/visitor choose Cullinary and then Farmers Markets

Fun with your garden

In 2008 I decided that a June Harvest Fest would be a fun dinner party. I approached my closest friends and suggested we each grow something in our garden that could be eaten or displayed at this dinner. Needless to say, the response was not as positive or enthusiastic as I had hoped. However, being an optimist, I pushed forward. I explained that we would choose recipes and then grow some of the ingredients for portions of our meal. The biggest rule was, there were no rules. If your crop failed, you could purchase the items needed. You just had to try.

The following was our planned menu:

A cucumber appetizer, with a seasoned cream cheese
Tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil, with balsamic vinegar and olive oil
Shrimp Ceviche (tomatoes, cilantro, green onions were from the garden)

Lettuce, tomato and carrot salad

The main course was a purchased meat along with the potatoes.

Dessert..... strawberry ice cream (strawberries from the garden)

Sounds great? Hah! There were failed crops from over watering, too much heat and of course, the dreaded pets. Each family shared their humorous horror stories. I must say, this was one of the best dinner parties ever. The households with the fewest crops have now blossomed into our most successful backyard farmers. And, last fall, our party grew, not only in the number of participants, but the bounty of our harvest.


A Gardener's World is not just about growing vegetables or plants at your home. It's about creating joy in our lives and in the lives of the people that surround us. It's sustainability and control, with enthusiasm. It's being pro-active in our daily lives, while enjoying some very basic elements, like dirt, water and food. If you want a semblance of change in your life, begin here. Join me for fun, adventure and purpose in "A Gardner's World".