Converting Lawns to Gardens
When I moved into my house it was surrounded by a great deal more lawn than I wanted. But I was not prepared to dig it all up, so this is what I did.
- Lay a line over the grass to mark the edge of the new flower bed – use hosepipe, rope, anything that can be adjusted and readjusted until the outline is satisfactory.
- Water the new bed.
- Lay newspaper, at least 10 sheets thick, and overlap it well to completely cover the new bed. Turn in corners to get the shape you want.
- Cut a narrow, shallow trench round the bed. You will have a ribbon of sod. Tuck the edge of the newspaper into the trench, and turn the ribbon of sod upside down on top to secure it.
- Water the newspaper thoroughly.
- Cover the newspaper with three or four inches of mulch, chopped leaves, or even soil. The newspaper will stay damp and suffocate the grass beneath.
- Leave for a few months.
This will break down the vegetation without upsetting the soil structure or the worms. It is on the spot composting. If the weather is warm the sod will break down faster.
If soil is used for the top layer, I would suggest covering it with something which cats won’t want to dig in – evergreen branches, chicken wire, whatever comes to hand.
If there are deep rooted weeds like dandelions in your new bed, it is a good idea to dig them out before covering with newspaper. But I have to tell you that I never did. If the resulting flowerbed grows thick and lush the dandies don’t have a chance.
Large plants can be planted as the newspaper goes down. Just dig a neat hole, tuck the newspaper round the edges so it is below the grass roots, and plant in the hole.
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DIGGERS AND WEEDERS LUNCH
SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR THE HEAD HOSTESS
- More sandwiches. We had 9 loaves and it was not enough. I would suggest that you have at least 10 loaves and that a plate of sandwiches be put away for the latecomers.
- Less sweets—perhaps each helper could make one sweet-either cookies, a dessert loaf or squares.
- The fruit was very popular. I bought too many grapes but that was my error.
- The cheese, cracker and vegetable plate was also popular. I would continue these.
- Milk- 500 ml container of 2% and 250 ml. container of cream is enough.
- 5 liters of juice instead of 8.
- I think that the club should buy the sugar, tea and coffee, napkins and doilies in bulk each year and just leave them in our box.
If anyone else has any ideas please post them. Pat Blanshay Jan.2007
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From: Cynthia Dinsmore [cynall@videotron.ca]
Sent: February 19, 2008 4:50 PM
To: Susan Casey
Subject: Composting Reminder
COMPOST INFORMATION - A REMINDER
WHY COMPOST ?
- At least 30% of household waste is compostable
- Compost is great for gardening providing nutrients that are essential for plants’ growth (nitrogen phosphorous and potassium)
- Composting breaks down soil toxins.
WHAT IS C0MPOST ?
- Nature’s recycling. The process uses micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi to break down plant materials and create a soil-like product called HUMUS which is very rich in the nutrients needed for plant growth.
INGREDIENTS
- YES: Kitchen Waste, including vegetable and fruit scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags and
ground-up egg shells.
Garden Waste including leaves, grass clippings, dead plants.
Other items including hair, hay and straw (broken up)
- NO Meat or animal products, oil or fat, dairy products, plastics or synthetic products
THE COMPOST PILE
- The compost pile should be 40-50% moisture. If too wet add dry materials and if too dry, water.
- Ideally the compost pile should have a ratio of carbon© to nitrogen(N) of 20:1. Alternate layers of carbon-rich and nitrogen rich materials.
- High in nitrogen are: vegetables, coffee grounds, grass clippings, hair.
- High in Carbon are: leaves, newspapers, coffee filters and tea bags.
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- Oxygen is necessary so the pile should be aerated so bacteria and other microorganisms can do their work. Turn the pile often, cut up the materials, have holes in the sides of composter.
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- Heat is also necessary and this is achieved by constantly adding new materials.
GOOD COMPOSTING
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Gel 2 root by Planters Pride
I thought the following might be of interest. a new product on the market
March brings ideas of early spring gardening chores. Two that come to mind are the re-potting of the indoor plants with new soil and cuttings from those plants you brought inside in September, now looking a bit rangey.
I have already re-potted but searching for a rooting compound, I found a new method, to me, of rooting cuttings which seems terrific. Not too expensive @ about $2.00 a small pot, “gel 2 root” by Planters Pride is made in the UK for softwood cuttings. No water or fertilizer needed, completely safe, they say, and new plants may remain in the pot until you are ready to transplant outside. You can also root several cuttings in a 2”x3” pot to maximize your investment! I bought two in a package at Home Hardware. I believe there are larger packages as well.
I am trying it!
Cynthia Dinsmore
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