I’ve been daydreaming about gardening again, and spring is close enough now that I can start getting everything ready for the busy planting season!
When I took some time to survey the state of the garden, I knew I had some work cut out for me. The ‘jungle’ that had resulted last summer was still very much there, though now brown and dry. I had countless volunteer marigolds last year (because once you plant marigolds you can’t get away from them dropping their seeds!).
I’d initially planned on loading everything up in the little gardening trailer behind our 4 wheeler to toss into the chicken run. Chickens make quick work of breaking down organic material in their path.
In the fall, we loaded their run up with leaves about a foot or two deep for them to play in, hunt bugs, and help with the mud that comes with fall and spring rains. I’d hoped the leaves would last a *bit* longer than what they did, but within just a couple of days the entire run was broken down into tiny bits of leaves and compacted. I use my chicken run as a compost area for almost everything; coffee grounds are TOXIC to chickens unless they are specifically decaffeinated for use with animals, i.e. NOT just regular old decaf coffee grounds which retain some residual caffeine – there is a type of livestock bedding made from decaffeinated coffee grounds that is safe.
But I digress. I’d planned on putting all the garden materials in the run for them to break down, but I remembered reading about utilizing burned plant material to enrich your garden. Specifically to refresh an asparagus patch, and as mine still had the dried feathery fronds that I needed to remove, I decided I was going to give it a try.
I grabbed a large bucket of water in case I needed to quell the flames, along with a small blowtorch to get everything lit. I wish I’d thought to get pictures – both of the ‘before’ and ‘during’ because it was a dramatic difference! All the marigolds were burnt up (though I’m certain I’ll have many more volunteers this year), along with the asparagus fronds, autumn leaves, squash & pumpkin vines, and remaining scarlet runner bean vines.
In the place of the mess that was there before appeared some wispy bits of ash, my walkways, and supports for vines. The asparagus patch was cleaned up and ready for the stalks to pop through in the coming weeks. We do have a few volunteer saplings amongst the asparagus that will be transplanted to our side yard this spring; we’re planning on re-wilding that side of our property to continue the park-like feel we love.
The raspberry canes that are rapidly multiplying amongst the asparagus, but not actually producing any fruit, may become basketry or wattling fence if I’m feeling adventurous. There are many, many other volunteer raspberries on the property so we won’t be missing out on a chance for fruit!
Later, I got out my favorite seed catalog and started thumbing through the pages. Unfortunately for me, I’m going to have to pare down my wishlist. I have far more on the list than I’d be able to care for, and I need to be realistic with my gardening abilities.
Every year I get a bit more ambitious and try new things – sometimes they work out, and other times….not so much. The first year we lived here I planted sweet corn and I couldn’t wait to try it. I think the ears maybe only had a single kernel each. While it didn’t fill our stomachs with food, it did fill our bellies with laughter!
No matter what, it’ll be a learning opportunity for both myself and my children. And really if all I accomplish is to inspire my children to not be afraid to try new things even if you might fail, well – I’ll consider that a success in itself.