Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Black is the New Green

Yesterday was compost day!

12 cubic yards of beautiful rich compost were delivered to my driveway
bright and early yesterday morning.
  
In my excitement, I forgot to take a picture of the mound of compost, but here is the closeup of the magical soil amendment.


Every spring I spread 1/2 to 1 inch of compost over the lawn areas.

The spreading commenced (in a cold, drizzly rain, I might add)...

...first in the front yard.







And then the backyard.






Extra compost was added to the new bed areas I have been working on.  
You can click here to read about this year's project.



 For a few days the whole yard is black,
but then the magic happens and everything turns to a beautiful, lush green.

 I love compost day!!

Makes me think of Ezekiel 36:35  
"They will say, This land that was laid waste has become like 
the garden of Eden."

Please visit again and I will share pictures of the transformation from a "wasteland to the garden of Eden."

Happy composting!

Toni :-)


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28 comments:

  1. CyndyMarch 30, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    Black Gold, I'd say - very jealous of all that lovely compost - can't wait to see how it works on all your lucky plantings.

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  2. ProfessorRoushMarch 30, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Wow! That covered a lot of area! And the larger views of your yard are breathtaking....what style!

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  3. Toni - Signature GardensMarch 30, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    Absolutely Black Gold, Cyndy! Compost works amazing wonders. I swear if we could eat it, it would cure what ails us, too.

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  4. Toni - Signature GardensMarch 30, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    Thanks, Professor. I'm amazed that you could see any "style" through the sea of blackness. I appreciate your comment.

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  5. Desert DwellerMarch 30, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    Reminds me of what I have to do, though I use a humic acid product and not compost. I too like the results and smell afterwards, as a momentary change from tan granite grit and dust...

    Your place looks like it is about to rock!

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  6. AnonymousMarch 30, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    I agree, the wide angles view are stunning.

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  7. LisaJenningsMarch 30, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    What a great way to fertilize the lawn.. Ive never heard of this before! And your finished product is amazing! Do you know if you can use it on any type of turf?

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  8. Wife, Mother, GardenerMarch 30, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    I do this each year in my gardens, but never thought about the yard! That is a very interesting idea... in a good way :)

    I am curious to see how long it takes the grass to come through. How long do you wait til you mow again?

    Thanks for the great photos of your home!
    Julie

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  9. Toni - Signature GardensMarch 30, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    Desert Dweller: There's nothing like the smell of compost in the mornin' :-)

    Thanks GWGT!!

    Lisa, yes, absolutely you can do this on any turf. Just put it down thick enough that you can see it, but not so thick that you are smothering the lawn.

    Julie, last year I paid attention, and it only took 3 days for the grass to come through! 3 days!! This year might be a little slower -- we had a cold spell show up that might slow things down for a few days. We will mow again in about another week.

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  10. LarryMarch 30, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    What an amazing yard and gardens! L

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  11. Karin / Southern MeadowsMarch 31, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    Wow, that is a lot of compost that you spread! But, it will pay off 10 fold. You probably have the best looking lawn in the neighborhood! My husband has done this in the past but will have to remind him to do it on an annual basis. Thank you!

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  12. EveMarch 31, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    Oh if my budget could grant me this ritual!! I'm so waiting for the results!

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  13. TheGardeningBlogMarch 31, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    I too love "composting" everything. Total magic in a week to 10 days ...

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  14. greggoMarch 31, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Cindy and I just completed our compost "spread" also. However, I should say Cindy did 90% of the work, loading, unloading, and I did the spreading. You should check out the posts - http://greggosgarden.blogspot.com/2011/03/why-women-like-straws.html - part 1 and 2.

    Song of Soloman 8:13
    You who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance,let me hear your voice!

    Amen!

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  15. p3chandanMarch 31, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    I just love your garden design, front and back! Looking forward when its blooming time, should be so lovely!

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  16. greggoMarch 31, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    comment 2. Who out there lives near any Silver Maples? Can anyone relate to this? when after adding a full yard of mulch or compost, the seed pods from the maple dump into the illustrious area only to create an instant forest of seedlings?

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  17. Sunray GardensMarch 31, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    That's a lot of work, but your yard and gardens are beautiful. greggo I live in Silver Maple nightmare. LOL Hundreds of thousands of seedlings to pick up every year from all my neighbor's trees.
    Cher
    Goldenray Yorkies

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  18. Kate @ Gardening and GardensMarch 31, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Great post title! and great idea to put it on the lawn. i will have to try that. Thanks for the informative post!

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  19. Toni - Signature GardensMarch 31, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Thanks, Larry!

    Karin, all of that effort does pay off 10-fold for sure! My husband has helped me compost for the past 5 years, but this year he said no. So I had to hire a worker for the day. He dumped the compost on the lawn and I spread it out. We made a great team :-)

    Hi Eve! Well, technically compost could be free...if you could make enough of it. I make my own compost, too, but I can't make enough to do 12 yards worth at one time. Therefore, I shell out the $$ every year.

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  20. Toni - Signature GardensMarch 31, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Yes, GardenBlog, the transformation is quite amazing!

    Hi Greggo! I did see your compost day post! Bless Cindy's heart! I know it had to be difficult to watch her to the work. Hope your arm is doing better soon! I am thankful that my arm is on the mend and held out for a day of composting!! Love the SoS verse!!!

    p3chadan: Thanks for visiting. There will be bloom pictures soon :-) Please come back!

    Greggo & Sunray: I don't have any Silver Maples, but I have an American Elm that has put out seeds so thick in my beds that the soil looks like it's been covered in elm seed mulch! My plan is to let them germinate (like I have a choice), then take my HULA HOE after them, and then mulch over them. And then maybe pray! I feel your pain.

    Kate, I do hope you give composting the lawn a try. You will be amazed at the difference it makes! Thanks for visiting :-)

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  21. DianeMarch 31, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    I love, love, love compost! And I love the ways it smells too :) Yes, it is black gold and it is magical! What wonders this stuff will do for your landscape...front and back yard! Just beautiful :)

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  22. Jennifer@threedogsinagardenApril 1, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    Hi Toni, What a lot of work you did to spread all that compost. I am sure your flowers and lawn will love you for it.

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  23. KarenApril 1, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Toni, I wish my yard were black right now, lol. What a beautiful garden; your landscaping is just gorgeous. I can't wait to see the result of all this hard work.

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  24. ShyrleneApril 1, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    Toni - this is a break-through for me; I've never seen full yard composting before. How cool is that!?!

    I also have to tell you, your garden design is inspiring me to think bolder & bigger. I keep eye-balling my front yard, trying to decide where to go next. Now I know - MORE garden/less grass.

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  25. CatApril 2, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    Love the verse you shared Toni. Loved the shots showing your garden coming to life. You have a natural talent for design!

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  26. Casa MariposaApril 2, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    We no longer use fertilizer on our lawns since it is killing the Chesapeake Bay, which is the watershed we are in. So I also use compost on my lawn!! Black and green are some of the best spring colors!! :o)

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  27. maryApril 27, 2012 at 12:29 AM

    Is it too late to compost the lawn? I'm in Plano.

    I absolutely love your blog. I discovered it today and have been reading through your archives and newsletter posts.

    Thanks so much.

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  28. Toni - Signature GardensApril 29, 2012 at 12:29 AM

    Hi Mary,

    So glad you are enjoying my blog! I think it is never too late to compost the lawn :-) Go for it!!

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