My gardener friend Jay Pedersen, [email protected], offers the
following Blowers Away Recipe for your Holiday consideration. I especially
like Jay's closing line, which reminds us of the essential connection
of all that leaves are so important to--"Continue this energy cycle
forever."
Enjoy the leaves and their many gifts this glorious season,
Shepherd
Blowers Away Recipe
Peaceful and Healthy Garden Culture (Serves many)
Preparation:
Consider what a plant sheds before planting it near or over paved
areas.
Plant trees around perimeter of paved parking lots or in center
large planting islands and back form edges, not in small islands
Plant perennials and shrubs such that their debris stays off paved
areas
Eliminate, reduce lawns or convert them to plants that need only
occasional mowing. Shaggy lawns and edges (reduces edging) are cool.
Increase tolerance for plant debris in the landscape. It is a
resource for compost making.
Paved areas with some dust and leaves can still be safe.
Reduce paved areas
Ingredients:
Nearby compost site
Comfortable, breathable clothes
Gloves, rakes, brooms, scoop shovel, tarps, pitch fork
Dropped flowers, fruits, seeds, leaves, twigs
Water
Procedure:
Do stretching exercise and drink water
Rake, sweep, and gather debris from paved areas
Mulch with debris in planted areas or
Pile in compost area with alternating layers of green and brown
material.
Keep moist
Turn with pitch fork
When cooked by decomposers spread the compost on the soil around
plants
Continue this energy cycle forever
You are welcome to share recipe with family and friends.
Jay Pedersen
Gardening Specialist, Sonoma State University
Send comments to [email protected]