The composting process can take anywhere from 18 days to 15 months, depending on methods and materials used. To speed it up, frequent turnings, a base layer of sticks for drainage, hot water bottles, pipes for aeration, nitrogen-rich materials, smaller waste pieces, and larger compost piles are recommended.
Category Archives: Earthen Passions
Growing Dill: Tips for Planting and Companion Planting
Dill is a beneficial herb with a unique taste resembling celery and anise. It pairs well with brassicas, repelling pests. It can coexist with tomatoes temporarily but may inhibit their growth when mature. Dill also serves as a natural pest deterrent. Careful placement is essential due to its dual impact.
Rosebay Willowherb: A Captivating Perennial Flowering Plant
Rosebay Willowherb, also known as Fireweed in some regions, is a captivating perennial flowering plant that adds natural elegance to any landscape. While considered invasive, it attracts pollinators and offers nectar for various wildlife. However, its rapid spread requires careful management in gardens to prevent overwhelming neighboring plants.
Nasturtium: A Colorful and Beneficial Garden Addition
Nasturtium, known for its vibrant color, is seen as a flower by some and a weed by others. Historically used by apothecaries for its medicinal properties, it is now enjoyed in salads for its spicy leaves and rich flowers. This plant, loved by pollinators, also acts as a pest attractor and companion plant in the garden.
Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum): A Culinary Herb Loved by Bees
Alexanders, also known as Black Lovage, Horse Parsley, or Wild Celery, is an edible plant (Smyrnium olusatrum) abundant in coastal Kent from April to June. This tall biennial plant is favored by foragers for its culinary uses and is often mistaken for Keck or Cow Parsley. Its Latin name, Smyrnium olusatrum, means “parsley of Alexander.”
Earthly Comforts 