Black Gold

While the soil is frosty and under two feet of snow there is still some unfrozen soil to cultivate. Our chickens have produced quite a quantity of manure soaked bedding which we have added to our growing compost pile. In addition to kitchen scraps and buckets of coffee grounds procured at a local resort the pile has grown substantially this winter. Placing a black tarp over it and turning it twice a month has kept the pile warm and even on chilly days, steamy! This is all evidence of bacteria doing its work. We look forward to spring when we can top dress vegetables with this ‘black gold.’