Simple composter

Just saw an HGTV show that described an extremely simple composter that could fit in the back corner of our yard. He described a 3x3 wire cube that you just set on the ground and fill with layers "like a lasagna."

Twigs on the bottom provide for some air circulation
Brown and green leaves, clippings, etc. provides leaf mold, carbon and nitrogen
A shake of blood meal accelerates decomposition
Water it till all is about like a damp sponge.

Also he showed these biodegradable bags, which I found online in Gardener's Supply Co.'s beguilingly named "Compost Accessories" section, into which you can put all your green/planty kitchen bits (but no fatty foods or meats) and just toss the whole bag into the composter. A little online digging reveals there's no need for the expensive ceramic crock unless you want its carbon filter to control the smell. Just toss the bags more often, is what I say.

Schoolhouse lilies run riot

Yesterday Jason and I noticed the schoolhouse lilies have gone insane.

Their bloom time is short, but this is the biggest flush of color we have seen from them yet. The abuse heaped on their heads is manifold: It's been a punishingly dry summer, and I never replanted them from last year's very WET summer, when the soggy ground dried so fast it actually heaved the bulbs partway out of the ground.

So the bulbs are partly exposed, never watered and in crummy alkaline clay soil. What are they doing? Multiplying like weeds!

We not only have more blooms than ever this year, the stand is spreading, and another round of bloom stalks are on the rise, which should double the show.

I love these bulbs! They were worth every penny!