With fall and winter coming up, it is time think about fortifying your soil for next year! Don't run of to purchase expensive fertilizers - free (and often better) material is easier to find than you may think. Contact a local stable to attain unlimited amounts of horse manure; take home those shredded bits of paper from the office; lighten your garbage load by composting veggie scraps (and solicit friends and neighbors for theirs); turn your raked leaves into mulch by running them through the lawn mower. Perhaps you know someone who raises rabbits or keeps grass-fed cows. There are countless simple ways to boost next year's garden while keeping those pennies in your pocket!
I keep an old blender on my drainboard handy to pulverise any kitchen waste at the end of my day. It breaks down so much fast in your garden because the worms can use it right away. You can pour it directly where you want it and it mixes in well into the soil. You won't have to worry about food scaps hanging around and looking messy. Add extra water so it pours nicely out of the blender pitcher. It's easy to clean your blender with a quick wash with soap and warm water whirling, ready for the next time, and no smell in the kitchen. You can whirl it during the day until you need to dump it. I find it works faster breaking down in the compost bin,too. You can make a fashionable cover for your blender to make it look nice on your counter.
If your garden is pretty much done for the season, can you put egg shells, coffee grounds or any other type kitchen compost directly on your garden or do you have to take it to the compost pile first? I know you can return clean plants directly to your garden as you prepare your garden for the following year but I question if some kitchen compost is considered acceptable when placed directly on the garden. Just curious! Thanks!
Don't forget about egg shells and used coffee grounds when making your compost! Both can be used to discourage slugs too.
If you have pesky cats getting into your garden; try lining the edges with citrus peals. Sometimes it works well to keep them away.
Also when composting; don't forget to save and dry your own seeds. Compost fertilizers not only save money; you don't pollute the ground with chemicals and avoid burning out your new transplants as happens with chemical fertilizers.
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