Category: Composting
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Compost: An Old Secret for New Life
Is there anything you want?”… “Do you want toys, books, dolls?” “Might I Have a Bit of Earth?” In her eagerness she did not realize how queer the words would sound and that they were not the ones she had meant to say. Mr. Craven looked quite startled. “Earth!” he repeated. “What do you…
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Orange Peel Vinegar
Our 28-year-old Arizona Sweet tree is still struggling, following the BIG FREEZE of 2010. I can hardly bear to look at this once-spectacular plant without pondering what I can do to bring it back. I decided to remove about half this year’s crop and cut out all the deadwood. And then do what gardeners often have…
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Consider Your Options; Old Things Can Become New
Today began as usual — a blessed morning filled with possibilities. While cleaning up breakfast — Jim’s yummy blend of fresh eggs from the backyard, potato, peppers, green onion, garlic and cheese — I noticed that our spice cabinet looked like it needed some attention. The lazy Susan’s were jumbled and be-specked, and upon investigation, I…
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Residents Visitors and Invaders
The natural world is a wild place. Many of us do not notice how wild, because we have built our habitats to keep ourselves safe and comfortable, insulating our lives from its wild elements. I’m happy to report that in our 36 years gardening in Tucson’s suburbs in the Sonoran desert, I’ve never seen a rattlesnake,…
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Pick a Pepper, Beck
After a few months of Arizona sunshine and daily water, our veggies are ready to eat. For the past several mornings Jim has been treating us to his special scrambled egg concoctions, and…well…every day has been different.Yesterday’s entree was my favorite, so far. ( I say, so far because today’s breakfast is still in production.)…
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Going the Distance, Backward
Hold on, just a minute! Before you throw that orange peel, onion skin or dryer lint in the trash…or the vacuum dust, or the eggshells, the bbq ash, or the spaghetti sauce jar — does it belong there? Are you sure? I have learned the answer is often NO! I used to throw all these…