Sunday, September 25, 2011

Friday Morning Began at the Mulch Pile!





What a Great Way to begin a day!



But before I could spread the mulch,
I needed to put my compost pile's "Black Gold" to good use!

Yes, it was a challenge to sift, given the extremely dry conditions around here.
I dug big clods of dry dirt onto the sifter.
(The pulverized dirt will fall through a double layer of hardware cloth;
the top layer being slightly less wide than the box and free on one end.)

This is what remained after the rest had fallen through the mesh layers.

A fun exercise was to flip those remaining little clods onto the
 other side of the compost pile!

(Below you'll see the results of the first "flip.")

Yes, I continued to work until I'd nearly filled my wheelbarrow three times.
The "Black Gold" was distributed over the Woodland Walk, the Big Backyard Shady Bed,
and the small Bed by the Shed.

It wasn't until later in the afternoon (after the beds had been sufficiently watered)
that the mulch began to be distributed.  I still have quite a bit to put out... but

it's FUN

and I want to take my time! 
:-)


Nothing "shady" here but the shade!
SG

8 comments:

Dave@TheHomeGarden said...

I really need to do the same! I got distracted by the perfect weather yesterday and instead of gardening played soccer with the kids. But I need to sift that compost bin soon!

Shady Gardener said...

Playing with the kids (very important) vs sifting compost (important). Yep! Playing with the kids wins!! :-)

GRACE PETERSON said...

Hi Shady, Lots of work but well worth it in the end.

Rose said...

Your garden will really appreciate that "black gold"! Hope you're getting some rain now, too.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Grace, Because the weather hasn't been conducive to working outdoors, I haven't done much all summer. However, this felt pretty good!!! And it's getting ready for next year. :-)

Hi Rose, We received 3/4" of rain yesterday!!!! I SAW those clouds coming and could hardly wait to see what might happen. :-)

Rosemary said...

How precious is that black gold... then the mulch too your gardens already gorgeous will be fantastic next year.

troutbirder said...

Great minds must think alike cause I was doing the same thing with my "sifter" last week before we left on vacation. :)

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Rosemary, Love your compliments. :-) But you're right. That black gold is precious!

Hi troutbirder, It's that time of year and sometimes we even get time to turn to those goals on our long-time lists! loll.