Manure

This year I've become an addict to the all natural powers of manure. In my raised beds (mostly vegetable), which had been slightly sinking from lack of organic matter going in and a lot coming out, have produced vigorous and sturdy cucumber vines, lots of peppers on plants that aren't mostly leaves, and a beautiful set of purple podded pole bean vines. All I did was mix a bag of a good quality composted manure into the soil before I planted.

For the rhubarb -- the plants are about 75 years old and had been dwindling -- I just placed an abundant ring of manure around the base of the plants and I've never had such a good crop of rhubarb ever.

Even around some of my perennials, like the Japanese Tree Peony, a good dose of manure gave me more flowers than ever.

We had horses from 1980 through 1998 and I just took their addition to the gardens for granted. Such great soil -- soft and velvety. I think it's coming back now.

Get that manure! Probably is good to put it in in the fall and give it the whole winter to become part of its new environment. Forget those chemical fertilizers!