Leaf Compost.
One teacher in school did motivate me, congratulations to the winner! It was his dedication to leaf composting that had captured my attention and not a detention.
link to help:https://www.rhs.org.uk/soil-composts-mulches/leaf-mould
My favourite teacher got me into composting.
Initially, I admit I witnessed the transformative power of organic matter and worms and heat in one year, to turn leaves into the soil. What then ended my interest, at this point was I realised I had to dig it out for use (I was only 13 years of age.)
Did this stir a curiosity within me? Yes, and that I hadn’t felt before. The school had achieved one small win. (I watched Superman whilst typing this. Hence it was written in epic mode.)
Intrigued by the potential benefits and fascinated by the teacher’s composting techniques, I took the bold step of approaching him to learn more, a tall man with a sergeant major voice, terrified as usual. I asked him how this all happened and how it worked, to my surprise, he was delighted to elaborate eagerly with passion. You collect the leaves up and shred them for a faster decomposition, “This my dear boy is the result of sunshine and demanding work from a couple of worms.” His enthusiasm was indeed contagious, gardening was not my greatest love at the time, but I found myself growing excited about the possibilities of its uses. Dampened at this point by the digging-out I mentioned previously but the order was like order 66 given so I assisted I like to think, willingly. lol
This became insignificant as another computer game came out and so an argument with my little brother over who gets to play on his Master system on Sonic the Hedgehog ensued it was a basic version very addictive. The feud ended when I got Mega Drive 16-bit. I think we swapped for a bit I had his Master system so I could complete Sonic the Hedgehog. lol
Did you know? in 1995 worms were released from Ocean on the Amiga.
You probably had to have lived it to understand. The reason why it did not come out on my 128k +2A Spectrum still baffles me. It could have saved us both from using all the game cards in the house as elastic band pellets, thus we turned the beds on the side and the wrecking of rooms began. My Mum, bless her, threatened my dad but we negotiated terms with her to promote better peace. ( my now distant friend from school who was like a springer spaniel on speed, left to go home.)
So is there more to dig up on this subject?
So after my digging escapades at school and the letdown of not achieving in Drama or computer studies. Well actually, not allowed to take them in case I lowered the scores. I went to College and put the lid on school, as so many do after College. I became bored of the indoor pursuits as most were, in my opinion, boring.
I decided to try a YTS course in commercial horticulture. Where the sun shone again and this time the digging became a means of losing weight and learning other skills like health and safety. The whole thing was more interesting and Stan the man as we used to call him had a wonderful way of inspiring you to dig and strim. I had found a work ethic I liked. To conclude this part of my life story here.
The leaf compost area looked similar to the one spoken of previously no plastic was needed but a sack cover was used through winter.
This little fellow is a common Sargent, butterfly, I did not want to release the teacher’s name, So I sidestepped, as releasing the name would probably make me a naughty person! and get me a detention from a lovely retired teacher, who I garden for on occasion, you know who you are. I hope you are enjoying the read though.
The process of leaf composting ends with the absorption and comparison of the composted material but an adaptation, of the composter's life is more fun!
I love drama and theatrics, so enter all the players you’ve got, the sun, micro-organisms, worms and the leaf or when they’re with friends, leaves. But not when you’re with friends as they are just your friends.
They’re all pretty hyped up because in a little while, much to Leaf’s dislike, he is going to pop his clogs, admitted, he was banned from having clogs whilst hanging in the tree, it was a no-no! Otherwise said trees would be banned due to health and safety, you can’t have clogs falling from trees.
Nature makes the first move, sort of like modern politics, you know what I mean by self-preservation: it commits quite an act of parliament. It turns the heating down, no government would force anyone to do this. Off the politics, I agree it is getting close to a Daily Mail column. The tree in his wisdom thinks hmmmm! I need a plan for winter. It is looking sort of like a recession here, isn’t it? Then issues that a mass cause the let go of said employees (leaf) due to their productivity, as they are no longer required. Do you know photosynthesis? it is very interesting. I give you a serious link here: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/photosynthesis/
On a calm clear day, a disgruntled Gardener usually named Jeff, enters and goes “flipping heck that’s a mess” and has a cuppa!
Grabbing a broom he sweeps the leaves into a pile, then he ponders, first things first, “Where the hell do I put these then?” Getting his wheelbarrow, he thinks aloud, “I’ll make a leaf compost.” He gets the shredder out and unblocks and shreds all the little leafy friends.
So Microbials are nature’s friends, the microbial. These are little groups of superheroes in the right situation, in the wrong situation, they are a complete letdown as they are usually slow-moving. Using each of their skill sets, they initialise their precise superpowers and send in bacteria and fungi to break down our friend the leaf.
This in turn makes simpler substances. They relish cellulose and lignin, I like a Big Mac with sauce too, turning them into manageable components. Worms, usually named Fred, are often assumed to be the last ones you helped back onto your lawn or compost heap, also pop by to turn and wriggle and munch on old leaves, leaving vermicompost. These little chaps can’t see but they sure do help with composition. They also improve soil structure, making it like a duvet and breakfast in bed for future plants and this is the end of my story for now, as I need more tea. Thank you for the read see you next time soon. Best wishes Tom.
useful link:https://www.rhs.org.uk/soil-composts-mulches/leaf-mould
You could take a look at if you still have some time:https://bizzybee-garden-market.co.uk/blog-post-index/
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Great fun and informative read Tom! Thanks useful to know once are garden makeover is done….currently a mud mess excavation
On side note Adam loves that worms game and of course sonic is his fave!
Ness
Hello Vanessa, I am glad you enjoyed it. I love retro gaming, I am pleased you found it informative. You have to go through the mud to get to the beauty of a garden, I hope your project concludes soon perhaps you could send in some photos, I would love to see what’s happening and maybe show them to other readers too please ensure they don’t give away you location for your security. Thank you for reading,Tom