How to Create Some Great Soil: Garbage!

Plant garbage, that is.

My spring/summer garden is winding down thanks to some severe pest issues. ::shakes fist at aphid and stink bug populations:: As I take out the spent plants, I cut them up into smaller pieces and throw them into a recently emptied section of one of the raised beds. I will continue adding material like this, leaves, paper and anything else that may be compostable over the next few days. Once I get it one-half to two-thirds full, I’ll wet it down and fill it the rest of the way up with soil. I will also send the kids on an earthworm hunt throughout the yard to throw in there too. By the time spring planting time rolls around, all of that material will have broken down and ready to feed some hungry plants. In some of the beds, I’ll go ahead and plant lettuce, greens, or some other cover crop that can survive the winter. I can harvest those throughout the cold months, then simply turn them under once I’m ready to start the spring planting. This worked wonders for me last year. Check out my Facebook page Bunny Undone  for some great recommendations in the comments section of the corresponding post. I post mini-updates there, so feel free to add me. 

Do you have any favorite techniques for feeding your garden? I would love to hear about it. Please leave a comment or send me an email at bunnyundone@gmail.com.