Composting

In the last ten years there has been a concerted effort to make the system of collecting garbage and sorting recyclable materials for further use. Our dump (land fill site) is state of the art and we the people benefit from the effort to redirect usable materials. All across Canada there is a move to use the science to make us aware of the impact we have on our environment. Large cities and small villages are doing their part to make it work.

As a believer in the science and a follower of re cycling mode I have since the opportunity availed itself made the pilgrimage to the landfill site to reap the benefits of the program. Every year Theresa and I go to the land fill site and bring a donation to the food bank and load up with compost. They say seven bags but since I use barrels I get large bags of compost. It has made my garden and trees very happy and we look forward every year to belong to the program.

Our town has being doing this for 11 years and every year I have been a participant. The difference is that eleven years ago there were a few people and now there is a lineup. What a wonderful way to make garbage a viable product and everyone who participates a winner. We love the program and wish everyone would join.

Lemon Tree

Our neighbour has several lemon trees. These trees are mature and produce huge numbers of fruit. He is unable to use even one percent of the fruit so he picks them up from under the tree and throws them on the empty lot next door.

Theresa and I see this as waste and wish he would put them in a basket and place them along side of the road as so many do. People here are very good at recycling and we all follow the rule that our surplus may be someone elses need. We picked some of the fruit he threw away and the girls made lemon desserts. Lemons also keep well in the fridge and can last for months.

We juice them and have a ready supply on hand for cooking fish and other things, like ribs. We were going to plant a lemon tree but we could never use the fruit and being here for six months, there would be waste.

Some states have gleaner clubs who officially glean fields after the regular harvest and donate them to the food banks. In Texas we saw this program at its best where thousands of tons of food are gleaned and given to worthy causes. Here in Florida I know of no such organization but groups in the agricultural belt do glean for their food banks.

It always seems like a shame where waste is present and the needs in this country so great.

Composting

I have been a composter for as long as I can remember.For the past 10 years I have increased my capacity to produce my own compost by means of four black composters and an open compost box. This method gives me at least ten wheelbarrows of clean ,black material which I convert to garden and lawn.I started with one plastic composter when our city gave them out for a few dollars.My neighbours discarded these from year to year because they were non-productive, dirty,attracted animals and smelly.

I took their boxes and turned them into great earth producers. Worms abound in the compost and add to the value of the product. I do have raccoons visit my composters and have a meal but I gladly share the table scraps with my furry friends. I have found that a couple of procedures make good composting better. First I place leaves,grass clippings and garden waste after making sure there is no material which will not break down in a year reaches the composter. Those materials I place in the open composter. I water frequently and mix up the contents when possible. Weeds are relegated to the open composter and begin a three year process. This assures that the seeds from weeds are dead. I empty my composter in the spring and sometimes in the fall.

Composted material by itself does not make ideal growing soil as it is recommended that a ratio of not more than 60 : 40 soil to compost be used.I prefer a lower ratio for root crops but it doesn't matter when used for trees or lawns.

Our city gives every citizen the opportunity to take up to 7 bags of free compost from the landfill site twice a year. This compost is excellent as it is monitored by the Dept. of Agriculture as to its value. Theresa and I were up there this morning and for a small donation of food for the food bank we gleaned about 1000 lbs of compost. A report every year tell us of the amount of diverted organic material recycled and it is impressive.This is an excellent project and is encouraged across Ontario.

We have our compost so I have to get to work to put it to use and I work happily when I think of what we are doing for mother earth.