Tag Archives: it’s not easy being green

The Compostermom Returns

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I know some of you are thinking “Daisy! Enough of the political posts already! How’s your garden?” While I ponder the symbolism of the grass roots that can’t be contained…. okay, I’m back in the dirt.

We had major rains for several days, bringing Lake Okaybyme back to the backyard. After a few breezy days and dry nights, Lake Okaybyme and its counterpart, Swamp NotsoOkaybyme, have receded far enough that I can wade through the grassland and reach the compost bin. I found, unfortunately, that someone small with opposable thumbs had gotten to the bin first. This bandit had pulled open the access panel and spilled decomposed matter and some not-yet-compost all over the ground. Growl. To make matters worse, the masked avenger had opened the opposite access panel from its previous forays into my compost.

In more than ten years of composting, last year was the first time I’ve ever had a problem with a fuzzball or two in black, white, and gray. Now they’re back, the dang varmints. I told you last year, you. Get outta my compost, punk!

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Rock Garden Re-do: The Finale

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Okay, readers. All of you who doubted me: here it is. The finished rock garden! Keep in mind that the soil in the foreground will host more mums, and the small patch next to the porch is home to daffodils and lilies. I didn’t feel like I needed the rocks to be deep; they just needed to cover the barriers and the space.

On the right and toward the left center are two planters that fit the rock garden decor theme. I’ll find something appropriate for those two later – after the danger of frost is (mostly) past.

Oh, you wanted a close-up? Sorry. I thought the long shots would do. I’m sure I’ll post a coda later in the planting season. After all, gardening truly rocks.

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Quieting my inner cynic

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If every cloud has a silver lining, every environmentalist has an inner cynic. We’re the ones who say, “Earth Day? I do this kind of thing 24-7-365.” True to form, I had a field day today when I came home from school.

The weather outside was delightful, so I was able to walk to and from work. I brought my own lunch, refilled my own water bottle and coffee mug, and handled the workday in my usual green way. Then I came home.

A package was on the porch: a product review sample left by FedEx. While overnight shipping has a significant carbon footprint, I understand the need for marketers to get their products out to their bloggers quickly. I can swallow this one.

The mailbox had a book in it: a title I’d ordered from a swap site. This book will go to the little free library in front of my school building. Wrapped in recyclable brown paper, this secondhand book quietly and firmly channeled my inner Kermit the Frog green.

The newspaper had an article about reducing trash. A nearby city is considering a pay-by-the-bag policy instead of the current property tax billing. I laughed out loud. When we moved here 16 years ago, we filled our large garbage bin to the brim every week. Now we have a garbage bin that’s half the size (and a fee of $0), and if we miss a weekly pick-up it doesn’t matter. We generate very little garbage. Recycling, composting, and a sincere effort to reuse instead of disposing all contribute to our lack of trash. Charge by the bag? I’m so there.

Well, I opened the box to find a half-axed attempt at enviro-packaging. First, they’d sent me both items instead of the one I wanted. Hint: I didn’t sign up to review a kids’ product because my “kids” are grown-ups now. Second: the box was way, way overpackaged. I might have let this go if the only packaging had been the (reusable and recyclable) shredded paper, but atop the paper was a plastic sheath and underneath were two – 2! – layers of puffy plastic pillows.

Deep breath, Daisy, deep breath. Not every company has the same eco-standards as the Okay Chorale. Finish supper, settle in with laptop, and relax.

My inbox had a note from a consulting group recruiting bloggers to try a program called the One Bag Party. Their goal is (are you ready for this?) to keep trash bags out of the landfill by making their bags stronger with less plastic. I stopped myself from snorting cappuccino out my nose at this one. This is supposed to be eco-sensitive? Make the bags bigger and stronger so people can throw away more garbage? People, check out the graduation party for Amigo and La Petite – much more true to the One Bag Party concept. We didn’t even use the lyrical Red Solo Cup.

Oh, sigh. I guess the world isn’t ready for the Compostermom standard. Quiet, inner cynic, quiet.

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Rock Garden Re-do, continued

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Chuck is helping with the rock garden. Sort of. A little. Well, he’s helping a bit, and he’s doing so only a little grudgingly. He makes fun of it, too. Growl.

I pulled all the big rocks to the sides of the garden space and then shoveled up most of the small rocks. The smaller rocks came with a lot of soil. I kept thinking I needed a shovel equivalent to a slotted spoon. The rake was too big, and the shovel brought up so much dirt…. well, anyway, I ended up with a wheelbarrow full of stones and soil.
Meanwhile, I put down the new barriers to (hopefully) keep the mint in its place. I hear you laughing, readers. I think the layer of 20 Mule Team Borax under the barriers will help quite a bit. Oh, and Petunia? The pizza box from the leftovers went to good use as part of the rock garden barrier, so thank you.
Then I attacked the stones. I pulled up a chair next to the wheelbarrow and started pulling stone out of the dirt and dropping them in a bucket. The trouble was, it took a long time and felt like I was only getting, well, a drop in bucket. I started to ask Chuck’s opinion. He interrupted with, “bigger rocks” before he’d even heard the full question.
So much for advice from the engineer in the house.
I moved back to the wheelbarrow and got another bucket full of stones. Chuck, full of remorse (not really), came outside and suggested I buy a few bags of decorative stones instead of plugging away at the chore of picking them out and rinsing them off at the rain barrel. I hesitated. It’s a point of pride that I created this rock garden last year at no cost – seriously, not a penny. But when reminded that my time investment is worth money, too, I gave in. Chuck dumped the wheelbarrow’s load on our soon-to-be berm in the backyard and we bought three bags of rocks from Home Depot.
The rock bags had some ridiculous marketing on them. Who designs these things? “Will not decay.” Sure, but will it erode? “Easy to apply.” Um, yeah. Open bag; dump.

Readers, look at the above photo. Chuck thinks I need at least two more bags. After I spread these, we’ll make a decision. Or, I’ll make a decision. This time, I think I’ll proceed without the engineer’s input.

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Rock Garden Re-do

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While I wait for the planting season, I’m still playing in the dirt. Chuck turned the soil, and then I took the large rake to it, chopped up the larger clumps, and spread it a bit more evenly. Next on the fill-the-time list: the rock garden.

I usually forget to take the “before” picture that makes a Before and After interesting. Oops, I did it again. In its place I will share two “during” photos. The top shot shows the stones still covering the ground, but most of the larger rocks have been moved, relocated until I’m done with the work.


The next point of view is the long shot, taken lower in order to better share the overview. There’s still a little soil in the foreground. I expect that will eventually fill with the ever-spreading mums. Next to the porch are a few bulbs: daffodils, a tulip or two, and a few Asian lilies. The blank spaces in between are temporarily hosting a few of the big rocks.
The plan:
  • Take the entire collection out.
  • Place new barriers (corrugated cardboard and/or newspaper) on the mint-filled and weed-filled soil.
  • Dump stones back on top of barriers.
  • Artistically place the larger rocks.
  • Hope for the best.
Readers, I’m sure I’ll have an After shot for you when it’s done. While you wait, tell me: what kind of projects are keeping you busy while you wait for planting season?

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>It must be — Spring?

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I know it’s only March. Don’t tell Mother Nature, but we’re seeing sights that normally don’t show up for at least six more weeks. The highlights:
The rock garden calls out for raking and rearranging.

The rhubarb is peeking out of the ground.

And last, but not the least on the list, seeds are planted. Indoors, yes, but the tomato and pepper plants are getting a good start.

Spring, bring it on. I’m ready.

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>Upcycling, reusing, and curbside decorating resources

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First, there were the polka dot chairs.
Then, there was a chair that became a planter.
Next: it’s not worthy of a photo yet, but we picked up the skeleton of a dresser drawer left curbside and turned it into a small flowerbed. I had an adventure digging a space for it; I found the footings for the front porch that was on our house nearly a century ago. Nope, I couldn’t dig very deeply there! I had to do more evening out and building up than digging down.
I’m sure you’ll see the results later as the plants grow.

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>Why I’m taking hiatus from posting Recipes

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>When I look up recipes via my blog, I find errors. Typos, ingredients left out…

  • It’s becoming a chore instead of fun. “Oh, no, what will I post this Tuesday?”
  • I’ve found myself repeating recipes too often.
  • My recipes are becoming boring – to me. And if I’m bored, you’re probably bored.
  • Change is good.
On the other hand:
  • I’ll still post seasonal recipes while the Farmers’ Market is running.
  • My garden will inspire more; I’m sure of it.
  • I like to play in the kitchen; I’ll share some of those experiments with my readers.
  • If there’s a story behind a recipe, it’ll make an interesting post.
  • I’m working toward incorporating more meatless meals into the family diet. Those may be worth sharing.
So, dear readers, I’ll still share kitchen stories and kitchen fun and maybe even join in a foodie blog hop or two. But for now, The “kitchen stories” label will have a well earned rest.

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>The ground is white, and I’m still green.

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>Alternate title: I am Daisy,the Compostermom, and I won’t let snow stop me!

I sold a crate of cookbooks to a Used Book store for $20.
I walked to work during a snowstorm. It was fun, to tell you the truth.
Compost continues, despite the cold. We have a bin within reach of the garage.
Chuck used pieces of the Christmas wreath to provide bramble, a little bit of shelter, for the neighborhood rabbits.
My lunchbag is re-usable, and I usually bring a cloth napkin along.
On Soup Day at work, most of us bring our own bowls instead of using plastic.
Litter box remnants (to put it delicately) still end up outside on what will be a berm next spring.
We’re pulling out frozen vegetables from last summer to make a delicious beef stew.
Is that only eight? Our lives are infused with eco-conscious behaviors. I’m sure there’s more. Let’s see:
– shopped at consignment store recently for a new jacket and purse
– donated another box to Goodwill
– taught Amigo to use anti-static dryer balls when he does laundry
– gave Amigo a crank-powered radio for his birthday. No batteries to change!
Yep. I think we’re still green, even though the ground is covered with white. Or ice.

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>Putting the garden to bed for another winter

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>It’s that time again: time to put the garden to bed. I’ve been restricted by cataract surgeries and out of town for state testing through most of October, but I did manage to get the garden put to bed well enough for the winter. One rain barrel is drained and tipped over; the other is drained and ready to tip. The rest? Check out my Monday contribution to Green Spot-On for the rest of the story.

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