It’s amazing the way we seem to quickly/easily forget how much some things change over time. A prime example – and one many people can relate to, I’m sure – is our children growing up. Well, there are certainly other examples, and one that came to mind recently was the changing of one’s yard/gardens over the years. Not everyone’s yard changes, of course – many of my neighbors still have the same green, manicured (and fertilized) yards they had when we first moved into our present home (6 years ago this coming spring) – but NOT me!
🙂
A little while ago I was looking through some old digital photo folders when I came across a startling pre-vermicomposting-trench pic (featuring some family members playing croquet in the backyard). I couldn’t believe how barren everything looked! I was discussing this with my good friend Cassandra (who interviewed me for a podcast recently), and she suggested that I post the picture, along with some more recent shots.
What’s cool is that I even managed to find a recent shot that was taken from a similar angle as the croquet pic, so you can really get the full “Before/After” effect!
Needless to say, all my outdoor vermicomposting activities have had a HUGE impact on the overall fertility of my yard. What once seemed like a barren wasteland has become a verdant paradise, literally buzzing with life! I certainly won’t give all the credit to the worms (although they’ve likely done their share) – there are countless other critters involved as well.
I guess if there was a lesson here, apart from taking advantage of the “magic” of vermicompost, it would be that you should always, always, ALWAYS take LOTS of pictures (of your children, of your gardens – of everything!). You’ll have lots of fun looking back and reflecting on how far everything has come!
Just wait till I start using compost tea this year! lol
😉
The pictures say more than words ever could. It seems from pictures 2 and 3 that your yard is the only one flourishing and changing for the better, well unless you like grass and trees only. 🙂 Happy gadening!
Gardening*
Bentley,
I was stunned by the comparison pictures! It truly looks amazing!
Those photos give me hope. Great job. If we buy some worms will you include some seeds from those sunflowers? Keep up the good work.B2
A picture is worth a 1000 words.
Where are your buds gonna play croquet now? haha
It’s crazy how your grass appears fluorescent now…how do you think that came about?
Thanks for the comments, everyone!
Brenda – no need to buy worms. Just get yourself some “Kong” sunflower seeds – I think they are widely available.
One thing to mention about the two pics – it’s important to note that they were taken at different times of day – so the green pic has the advantage of the sun shining directly on the yard. The other one looks a bit more gray and drab simply because the sun is going down. Definitely a huge difference still – but don’t want to give people the wrong idea here! lol
Truly inspiring Bently!
Wow, Bentley! Thanks for sharing.. your yard is gorgeous!
The grass is always greener next to the vermicompost trench. 🙂
Absolutely inspiring Bentley, Can’t wait for gardening 2011 pics and blogs to come out.
UnbeLIEVable! Gorgeous! Also shows that vegetables in the front yard are FINE and can be beautiful. I mix eggplants into my flower border, put tomatoes behind my magnolia (they can get a little scraggly, so they’re hidden more), and I’ve edged a lot of my beds with everbearing strawberries. Since I never use poisons, I can snack while I garden.
But your yard–wow! ‘Way better than mine. I’ve only been adding vermicompost for a year and a half. I’d better get crackin’.
Thanks for sharing!!!!!!!
WOW! I’ve been trying to beef up a few of my worm bins to be the recruits for my first worm trenches, seeing these pics makes me even more excited to get the trenches started! Now I just have to wait for the 3 feet of snow to melt…Thanks again Bentley
Great looking garden. I will have to learn how to make worm tea to spruce up my yard. Our spring starts at the end of June. I better start getting ready now or I will miss summer. Good work Bentley
Where’d the sandbox go?LOL!
I would call that pic.the field of dreams! You can tell by the clumpy grass in the wasteland pic. that the grass really took off.I would imagine the redworms are able to travel through the ground level and keep adding their magic!