Um, Thank You, House?
Jun. 12th, 2020 07:57 pmToday's present was a dead blackbird.
I mean, it's really sweet, it was practically right on top of the compost heap and everything. It's a very kind gesture! Just, you know, in different context, involving a different person, might be interpreted as a bit creepy. I think perhaps the house may be a cat.
Anyway, I am no stranger to dead birds, and my heap could do with the protein, so in it went. I turned it over today and am pleased with how quickly it's turning into usable soil. I'm trying to follow recommendations of layering greens, food scraps, dirt, etc., and keeping it watered, which seems to be working. What I don't have is manure or, erm, 'night soil', which is supposed to be part of the mix. Turning it over today, though, it smelt distinctly of poo, so maybe the necessary bacteria are in there after all, digesting away? Are they a gift from the house, too?
I also need to burn some of the willow cuttings and add the ash (I think this will cut down on the poo smell, as my 1940s compost advice suggests sprinkling ash over the night soil) but that requires me to dig the hibachi out of the shed and scrub at least a little of the rust off, so obviously that hasn't happened yet ...
I mean, it's really sweet, it was practically right on top of the compost heap and everything. It's a very kind gesture! Just, you know, in different context, involving a different person, might be interpreted as a bit creepy. I think perhaps the house may be a cat.
Anyway, I am no stranger to dead birds, and my heap could do with the protein, so in it went. I turned it over today and am pleased with how quickly it's turning into usable soil. I'm trying to follow recommendations of layering greens, food scraps, dirt, etc., and keeping it watered, which seems to be working. What I don't have is manure or, erm, 'night soil', which is supposed to be part of the mix. Turning it over today, though, it smelt distinctly of poo, so maybe the necessary bacteria are in there after all, digesting away? Are they a gift from the house, too?
I also need to burn some of the willow cuttings and add the ash (I think this will cut down on the poo smell, as my 1940s compost advice suggests sprinkling ash over the night soil) but that requires me to dig the hibachi out of the shed and scrub at least a little of the rust off, so obviously that hasn't happened yet ...