Christmas time is a time for family and friends and what better way is there to spend time together than decorating the Christmas tree? The simple art of stringing popcorn and cranberries on to some cotton thread is a fun family activity and makes an attractive old fashioned Christmas Tree. If you have a real tree, leave the homemade garland on set it out in the yard after Christmas and enjoy watching the birds that will come to feed on your colorful garland! When the garland is gone you can compost the thread and branches in your compost pile!
Just cut the branches off the tree (smaller the better they compost more quickly) and add to your compost tumbler or pile. The heavier trunk can be added to the compost pile as well but it will take a long time to break down into compost you may want to burn it in your fireplace or wood burning stove instead. The ashes from your fireplace or wood stove also make great soil amendments!
If you have an artificial tree just take the garland off and hang it outside, preferably near a window so you can enjoy watching the birds who come to feed. When the garland is consumed just throw the cotton thread into the compost tumbler or pile. A popcorn and cranberry garland makes a beautiful and sustainable Christmas decoration!
So get the family together, throw a log on the fire, pop some corn, makes some hot chocolate or hot cider and enjoy spending some time together while creating a beautiful organic addition to your Christmas Tree!
Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The 6th step for starting an organic garden is to fertilize the soil with all of the stuff you have been composting. If you chose to go with the raised bed garden and used a prepackaged soil to fill your bed you will be able to skip this step for now.
To properly fertilize the bed spread about a 2 inch thick layer of the compost you made in the earlier steps. If your compost is not quite ready to use you can purchase prepackaged compost at your local garden center for this step. Once you have spread the compost over the garden start working it into the soil with a spade and a claw rake. Break up large clumps of dirt with a digging fork or the rake. You want to keep working the soil and compost together until the consistency is that of fine gravel. Be sure to work the compost deep into the soil at least 6 inches.
Change your impact! Stay tuned for step 7 planting seeds and seedlings.
composting cycle
First of all what is compost. Compost is a form of decomposed organic matter. It is usually dark crumbly and earthy smelling. It is made from organic materials like leaves, wood chips, grass clippings, kitchen scraps, newspapers, etc. When broken down these materials provide one of natures richest fertilizers.
Compost is made up of materials high in either carbon or nitrogen and while most people think of these materials as waste it could be argued that they are only waste if they are simply thrown away. By composting these “waste materials” you not only help keep our already overburdened landfills from filling up, you also create a valuable resource for increasing the production of your organic garden.
So, why compost? Because you and your family will enjoy all the wonderful healthy fruits and vegetables you harvest from your garden and you will be helping to make a greener healthier earth!