Compost Pile & Bits of my Garden

I started a compost pile a few months ago and just haven't been around to post. I kept waiting for my husband to help me out to make the perfect bin or spot. Well I couldn't wait any longer once I read Kelly Miller's post from the Tidy Brown Wren. Here is her post about Compost: making black gold in your own backyard. When I was researching on the Internet everyone kept saying you needed some sort of bin to turn it. Well those bins are quite expensive. Money I don't want to spend. Kelly's tips and advice are perfect for anyone who has a little 4 x 4 spot they could start a compost pile in. So I went out the next day (without my husband) and found some logs that were cut from trees we had down and sectioned off a spot with them. It's been a fun experience seeing everything break down. I have been teaching my boys about composting too. They like to help throw all the scraps in the pile.




As far as storing your scraps to throw in the pile I just use a big ice cream bucket that has a lid. Works great for me and I can store it under the kitchen sink. Kelly also has another post about a compost bin she keeps under her sink. Hers is very cute and made for composting. Thank you Kelly for all the tips and advice.

Here a a few peeks at some plants that are in my backyard garden around our fire pit. I started a lot of these from seed last year or a few years before.
Foxglove

Peony Tree I bought online. This was the first year it flowered after having it for two years. I bought it for $5 because it was an unknown variety. The flowers were so huge. Look how big they are next to my hand. I have pretty big hands with long fingers. Amazing.

Rustic Colors Rudbeckia from seed, Pixie Meadowbrite Coneflower from seed.

This is what it looks like right now. Rustic Colors Rudbeckia, Pixie Meadowbrite coneflower, Shasta Daisy, Snowdrift sage, Hosta, Limelite Hydrangea in the back, and more goodies throughout. A bit messy but I guess that's just the type of gardener I am. Plus the rain just squashed everything in a past month. Any tips on getting everything propped up again?



I will post some more photos later this week. I hope Kelly has inspired you to make a compost pile. She sure inspired me.

Inspired by BHG

My hubby had this ugly bench thing in the garage that he got from his old job about 15 years ago. It was taking up space in our new garage and he was going to take it to the dumps. Er, NO! I said,"Can I have it to make it into a garden workbench?" Yes sir eee, I got it. Well it sat all last year and this year I came across this article in June BHG.
It was the perfect plan for my ugly bench. It' not totally complete, still a work in progress. I need to get a new piece of wood for the top and cut a hole to place a grate for the dirt to fall through. But I was so excited to share the little bit I have now. I had the curtain rod laying around along with the clip rings. Bought some burlap & black spray paint from Walmart and she's almost complete. It just needs some eye candy now, then it will be done. I will post when I get around to making it look more pretty.
Before
After

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. This was my first little sewing project by myself (since taking a sewing class). It's so fun and addicting. We aren't camping for the next two weeks so I hope to get a few more things done around here. Hope everyone has a great Monday!