As the days become marginally shorter, it is safe to say the leaf raking season is on the horizon.
The weeks leading up to the cooling weather can be productively spent on a variety of tasks or idled away thumbing through the library of last spring’s gardening catalogs which are by now pretty shopworn.
While the catalogs, with their always beautiful plants and optimistic planting zone classifications, can be fun, their only accomplishment is increasing credit card balances.
One task which can yield exceptional results in the weeks to come is trench composting. As the name implies, there is a trench to be dug, but at least the outside temperatures favor physical exertion.
Trench composting can use available organic materials that otherwise would be wasted. Oak leaves which can quickly fill this slit will provide an ideal growing environment for acidic soil-loving plants such as blueberries.
The concept is simple. Dig a trench or a hole 10 to 12 inches deep, fill it with compostable materials, and then cover it with soil. At that point wait for the bugs, bacteria, fungi and other organisms to do their job.
These unseen lifeforms literally consume the compostable materials and leave a residue which is useful to plants. Needless to say, when the organic materials are placed in a sizable concentration, the consumers are more than happy to join the buffet line.
Almost any compostable material will work in this effort, but there are some common-sense limitations. Yard waste and leaf litter work great, and this effort will keep them out of the county’s waste stream which is an indirect expense to all residents.
Some kitchen scraps work well, such as vegetable peels and overripe fruit. Even egg shells, if placed in the bottom of the trench, will deliver acceptable results.
Meat scraps, dairy products and fats or oils will compost, but are likely to cause an odor issue. Also, they are likely to be dug up by foraging animals such as raccoons and bears. Even dogs will explore the site for interesting tidbits.
Deceased animals and thick limbs or branches will be too slow to degrade for this project and should not be used. Items which do not have an organic base, such as tires or plastic, will remain intact for decades, if not centuries.
The composted beds will produce a grow-friendly environment. They can be used for a variety of plants, shrubs and trees.
Many north Florida soils have several issues which trench composting remedies. The first is the lack of organic matter which vastly improves water holding capacity.
The second issue is the soil’s pH, usually reflected in a soil test. Most of the plants and shrubs considered desirable by people require a slightly acidic growing bed.
Lastly, the trench composting helps with compacting. Compacted soil is common in new developments where fill has been added and heavy equipment has been repeatedly driven across a site.
Many plants and shrubs which are popular with homeowners have difficulty flourishing in compacted soils. This condition makes an ideal environment for weeds with especially aggressive root systems that resist control.
So, take the long view during the shortening months, and dig into gardening during autumn of 2024.
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