Today I am following up my 3rd December post when I added a "compostable" bag to the compost bin. It is now four months on (rather than three) so it is time to assess the breakdown. Taking the trusty trowel in hand I started my forensic excavation. Here is what I found:
Now compare that with the pristine beginning:
To be honest I am not really impressed with compostability. I don't think these residents were very impressed either!
I have started this year's sowings and need to label them religiously both to avoid confusion and to keep a record or the sowing dates for future reference. In the past I have advocated recycling white plastic labels by covering them with smart tape before writing on them with indelible marker. At the end of the season the tape is removed and then renewed before reuse - see my previous post fantastic plastic. It is a system that works as the label follows the crop from seedtray to pot to garden/allotment. The label remains legible throughout. This year I have replaced the "smart" tape with paper masking tape so as to greentweek the system. I feel confident it will work just as well but will road test it and report back.
There is a mountain of labels to be recycled, so I am glad to make the process greener!
My approach to gardening has been as an avid vegetable grower. The dictum has been: If you can't eat it - don't grow it. So you might detect a bit of self consciousness about this post but also the enthusiasm of the convert. The latest project I have been involved with has got Sedum, Saxifrage, Sempervivum, Ajuga.... Nothing you would want to eat but each ideal for a living green roof. Ok it doesn't look that green yet, but all the trays are second use supermarket food trays, so there are green credentials built into the design. If any module fails or overgrows it's neighbours, it can easily be removed, replanted or pruned and replaced. The whole thing sits atop the bug school bug hotel and, I should mention, was planted up by the School Eco Group. It will add an extra dimension to the 'hotel' in attracting pollinating winged insects.
