One thing as a mother of three I have learned is to make time for yourself. Have hobbies and interest. My biggest hobbies are metro city gardening and worm farming. I am in the city and I have made this work for me. I also have two pet chickens in my backyard.
It’s winter here in Oregon and all I have in my head is dreams and visions of my summer garden. I also love the long days and hot weather. I plan on planting a row of blueberries along my back fence and I have a pretty small backyard. I will post pictures in the future! Before and after. I am researching the type of blueberries that are best planted in Oregon where I live. I am in planting zone 8A. I am going to plant the blueberries in March-April.
Which kind of blueberry bush should I buy?
One thing blueberries need is acid soil. I am really into composting. After Christmas I was going to compost the soft branches from my Christmas tree to make an acid soil. I started cutting for hours. This was a lot of work! I then decided I would go on the computer and check how long it would take to compost the branches and how to compost these branches to make this wonderful acid compost! The information was not what I’d hoped at all! I guess Pine trees compost into neutral soil. Ugh…
Now I am back to my regular compost routines! I have an old kiddie pool I do a compost pile in. I also have several types of red worm compost bins indoors. I believe in putting back as much as I can that is good for the earth and my plants. At least 30% of waste can be composted. This in turn extends the live of the landfill. A lot of the earth has been depleted of the natural vitamins essential to plant growth. Worm compost helps boost the plants immune system and makes a better production in the plants. Its so good for the plants. Mixing compost with soil or placed right on top of the soil is good. Its also great in lawns because its a natural non-toxic fertilizer. Compost works great to retain moisture in the soil longer. Less water usage. So all around its great!
Worm Compost is great for the earth!
I know a lot of people are probably thinking you have chickens and you garden. Yes and yes. The chickens are wonderful pets. There is quite a bit to clean up with chickens. Last year they ate most of my garden too. I was not expecting them to do this. They are true free range chickens. They can go wherever they want in our fenced backyard. The chickens do make great compost and eggs too. They tear up my lawn. As a gardener you always have to find ways around issues. A few years ago my neighbor said if I needed more room to garden I could use their yard. I have only had my chickens about a year.
I am deciding to take them up on it! I will have the best of all advantages. I have all this awesome compost. Seriously more than one could dream of with five people in my family. Leaves, grass, family leftover and quite a bit of Christmas tree. It will be the best of both worlds for both families.
autumnworm 