Mid-Atlantic Gardening: Spring Projects now Summer Projects!, 0 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
Lady,

Good thought! The leaves and veggie scraps probably would compost better.....
Of course--there is always a "BUT".....Those leaves get bagged when i rake up and shred my leaves--so it is not an over-the-time project. I do pour a little water in the bags to help the dry leaves compost.
The Oak trees are 2 houses over. I am sure some of the leaves blow my way. The second house over has a chain link fence all around it (she has dogs) so that stops many of the leaves from blowing.

IF I had an open compost pile--I am sure it would be easier to just dump everything on it. Really wishing I did by now. I suppose when this S>E>M> gives up the ghost--then i will have to find a plan B.

The amount of fruit and melons and veggies I consume fills my scraps container at least once a week. I use one of those shoe-box sized, clear plastic containers with a lid that you can buy salads in at BJ's,Sams, etc.
Have to be more careful about closing it---b/c the gnats and fruit flies are everywhere and they had been laying eggs all over--as there were all these little larva everywhere. I keep one of those sticky pads hanging and when I disturb them--I just wave it around and catch a bunch. Mostly--that is where I keep my picked tomatoes....That is like a magnet to them--especially if one has a split or a rotten spot.

Stormy----PLEASE don't say you are intimidated......I am just an organized person and keep things in an organized way. Also--remember--the beds I have--and WHERE I have them were formed about 35 yrs. ago. Can't change any of it.....Back then I had endless energy and stamina. NEW homeowner---NEW hardener---Not any more....
Never yet heard of DG! Beds HAD edges--that's that!

Actually, I like the "casual look" to a Garden like many of you have. No edgings--little islands of plantings--a shade garden here and there--a bench to sit down in---LOVE it! BUT (again), that takes a much larger property than I have OR a more creative mind than I have......design wise....
My WHOLE property is only 65'w x100' d. Everything sits on that....AND those 2, 40+yr. old Maples in the back yard are the big kill-joys!

Confession----By now--as I am well into being a senior--I wish I did not do all this gardening--save seeds--take cuttings and propagate everything. Lug things in and out as the Seasons come and go....Too much work!
I long for a less compulsive life....yet, I think we all can agree, it is NOT that easy to change this gardening obsession....

Holly--
Here is a picture of some cracked open Datura pods (2007).....The outer covering is just pulp---it falls apart in your hand if you try to pull the seed pod off by hand. When they crack open--use scissors or a knife to cut it off from the plant. Don't they look like the two lobes of a brain????

Gita