Composting

Thanks to the work of Sir Albert Howard and Robert Rodale, almost all gardeners know the basics of making and managing a compost heap. I hope to add pages on that subject as soon as I can get to it.

I must say, though, that as I get older I am more interested in alternatives to the classic, labor-intensive compost heap. I will open this section, therefore, with The Boxwood Vermicomposting System a description of how we use earthworms to compost horse manure for garden fertility.

Another labor-saving approach to composting: Let the chickens do it! I’ve added to this section an article published in a recent issue of Backyard Poultry, “The Lazy Gardener’s Compost Heap“. I’m excited about the many benefits of “turning the flock loose” on heavily mulched areas.

I’m especially excited about working with a managed colony of black soldier fly grubs to convert organic “wastes” not only to high-fertility amendment for soil improvement, but to live protein feed for the poultry flock. Check it out. ~Harvey, February 2010

Table of Contents for Composting Section

• The Lazy Gardener’s Compost Heap
• The Boxwood Vermicomposting System
• Black Soldier Fly, White Magic