Early Spring Composting

Early Spring Composting

Early Spinach

March is not quite spring in Vermont.  The official first day has past, but we are still skiing.  I know not to get my hopes too high with the sound of twittering and the occasional warm sunny day.  But despite a threat of a March snow storm, the sap is running in the maple trees and I am starting seeds.  We have spinach and I clipped some fresh chives for dinner in the greenhouse.  The air smells different.  It is surprising and lovely.

I have also started composting.  Our nighttime temperatures are still dropping into the 20’s, but with our ComposTumbler on the southeast side of the house absorbing heat on a sunny day, the materials inside are kept from freezing.  Actual composting is happening, but very slowly.  I figure if I start adding materials now, by the time warm weather sets in the tumbler will be full and ready for action.  In a couple weeks I will have beautiful compost just when I need it.  My garden will be hungry and I will have food for it.

You are probably wondering what I have to add to my tumbler this time of year.  I did not entirely clean out the herb and perennial beds closest to the tumbler.  So, there is plenty of dry brown material. It is invigorating cleaning out the garden.  All of the worn out feelings from last fall have vanished and I love seeing the daffodils’ tips poking out of the soil so expectantly.  For the fresh green material I have been using kitchen scraps.  I have much more brown than green.  I will probably add horse manure in a few weeks when we get a load from our neighbor to supplement the garden.  Our tumbler should really be cooking then and to think our world will finally be evolving into a lush green hue.  The gray browns it has been sporting of late will not be missed.

Tags: composting, composTumbler, spinach, Spring