Throughout the garden, in many different forms are my secret weapons and the thing that keeps me fascinated as much as the plants I grow and the animals I care for and that’s my composting systems.
Over the years I have learned many ways of composting, from in situ composting which involves both burying organic material directly into the garden or simply placing compost bins in the locations where I want the compost to end up, to buried worm towers and of course the original bays tucked away in the least attractive part of my property.
This last one has become my least favorite of all the ways I now compost. It involves a lot of unnecessary labor and disturbs the compost far more than necessary. I would have to say these days, that in situ composting with a bin is the most efficient for our environment. However, I do have the luxury of large spaces so can allow for an oversized compost bin in a vegetable garden for several months at a time. But I have friends who live in smaller spaces and use a small upturned pail with the base cut out and the lid used where the base used to be. This is really effective and takes far less time to break down.
I know for a lot of folks, composting is simply an ugly necessity; it’s not as pretty as the rose bushes, nor as striking as the ever-turning sunflowers. Yet, this humble compost pile is a treasure trove, a testament to the cycle of life and the magic of turning what many consider waste into garden gold. I have fallen in love with composting, to create soil from food scraps, animal waste and garden cuttings is a miraculous process and one I will never tire of.
I rotate my faithful compost bins around my raised garden beds every few months and the benefits are amazing. Firstly, I need to keep in mind, that over time, the soil collapses and the levels of my garden beds drop so this is a great way to boost not only the quality of soil but the depth as well. I always make sure to not plant anything in my raised beds that are permanent to avoid them eventually getting buried of course.
While some dream of constant travel and adventures new, my heart has always been tethered to this piece of land in South East Queensland, dreaming instead of a sustainable, self-sufficient life. At the risk of sounding a little dramatic, to me, the compost pile is a cornerstone of my dream of living on my land and providing for me and my loved ones from this land, composting embodies the principles of recycling, renewing, and respecting the earth.
Creating compost is like crafting a rich, slow-cooked stew. Into it goes kitchen scraps, lawn clippings, leaves, and even paper – a mix of greens and browns, nitrogen and carbon. And animal poop. From cow to pig and chicken poop it is all gold to my compost systems. Did you know pig poo is supposed to be the richest and most effective manure below pigeon poop! Well now you do!!
With time, and a bit of patience, these scraps transform. What was once waste becomes dark, crumbly, and sweet-smelling, packed full of nutrients ready to nourish our garden.
This transformation is an honest to God marvel, a daily reminder of nature’s resilience and resourcefulness. It teaches patience and care, the importance of balance and diversity. As I layer the scraps and keep adding to it, I’m participating in an ancient cycle of growth, decay, and rebirth.
In our subtropical climate, the compost works a bit faster, the warmth accelerating the breakdown. It’s a boon for our garden, allowing us to continually enrich the soil, boosting the vitality of our plants and the abundance of our harvests. Our compost pile is a constant source of life, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.
The lessons of the compost pile extend beyond the garden. It teaches us to see potential in the overlooked, to understand the value of what we might otherwise discard. It’s a practice of mindfulness, a commitment to a lifestyle that seeks harmony with the earth rather than dominance over it.
So, as I tend to our compost, I am reminded of the beauty of our chosen path. While the thrill of a nomadic life appeals to many, the joy I find in nurturing this land, in turning waste into wonder, is a journey of its own, rich and fulfilling.
Until next time,
Lucy