I just learned this weekend how important these topics are to city folk. Of course we have a huge pile of compost out behind our greenhouses, but the times I grumble and hold my breath as I pace past it hold nothing against having a dish of it sitting on my counter for a week. I'm amazed at what we take for granted here in the country when others have to go through a greater process to do the same sort of thing.
So, here it is . . . the compost talk that Johanna wanted so badly. I'm sorry, but I have to post the tale of her fascination with the cluster of plants in the hedge row. She hurried over asking what it was that grew there, because she'd never seen anything grow like that.
"You mean the pile of dead flowers?" I answered, obviously curious why she was so interested.
At that moment I knew. Composting is not a pile of crap. It is a luxury. After dinner, I can throw my corn cobs out into the bushes where something lower on the food chain will scurry over and be glad it found its next side dish.
At Windflower, all those end of the day compost runs with juicing tomatoes, rotting onions, and worst of all, potatoes or cabbage do its part to make fresh soil for next year's crops. If you wonder whether we pot or seed into that soil, the answer is no. We have the privilege of letting someone who specializes in composting make that soil mix for us. As if a great big pile of compost wasn't enough, we need our dirt pile too.
Recycling has its place too. Ask Jake the Elder who is its biggest advocate. Why else would we have a compost salad day?
in fairness, it was a lot of bright color in an odd "heap" formation...thank you for your long-overdue composting talk. i knew i picked the right man for the job! (now you're off the hook for the brooklyn visit). speaking of which, i am so excited to have you all down, and we have an abundance of ideas to whittle down and fit into a few days. if there's anything you want to do or see, let victoria know and we'll work together on the itinerary. it's going to be great and i am thrilled we're making it happen!
ReplyDeleteLook, someone other than Johanna is commenting! (Of course, I have almost the same name, so maybe it doesn't count). It was really fun foraging around the farm with you all on Sunday, can't wait to see you again in the city!
ReplyDelete-Joanna (the girl with glasses and the pig hat from Prospect Heights)
Daren is going to laugh when he hears that he got the credit for a composting blog. I do think of him when I think of the compost pile because I always make him deal with the disgusting bins after they are emptied. However . . . it was yours truly who wrote the article.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Joanna, you count even though I did have to read your name twice. (I do remember you.) Glad to have you visit our blog. Feel free to ask questions or leave us ideas of what you'd like to read about.
as soon as i saw "compost" i just assumed it was daren's post. well victoria, thank you for writing about it. it really is quite a process here in brooklyn, and i am willing to bet that our stinky bins outstink yours! (we can have a compost stink-off when you visit).
ReplyDeletemy mullein is drying and my little brooklyn apartment is covered with leaves!
i hope all is well.
johanna t.
Hey, just want to throw another comment on here. Hi Victoria! Miss you guys already. I've been bragging to everyone who will listen about the best farm in New York.... x Heather
ReplyDeleteO, you're so sweet. I hope you'll come back next year or any other time you want. We love company! Maybe you can hang out with the crew when we're in the city this October.
ReplyDelete