My compost pile beckons!! There are so many instances of magic in the garden....and the compost pile is surely one! All that natural trash turning itself into black gold!!! If I help it along, it will work its wonders more quickly, but left to its own devices, will still eventually transform. But, since I am outside every day, I do choose to help it along---a labor of love. So, after the sticks, grass clippings, leaves, kitchen scraps and manure have been added, stirred and dampened...what more can you do?

   Biodynamic gardeners have an herbal preparations they add to compost piles to use as "accelerants". They work--I have tried it. But simply adding some specific herbs to the pile will work as well. Instructions usually call for equal parts of the following plants--but I am a lazy gardener and usually end up doing what I can--when I can and use what I have. It still works!!! Dandelion, Chamomile, Yarrow, Valerian, Comfrey, Nettles can be used in whatever proportion you have available. The whole, or any part of the plant can be used (fresh or dry) and placed in the along with the usual layers of your compost pile--or--they can be chopped and injected with a long stick into several places/levels of the pile. I notice it cuts about a month off the conversion--plus I love adding herbs to anything I do, so it is an added bonus. Of the mentioned herbs, I have tons--some on are on the invasive side and there is only so much medicine you can make, salads you can eat, craft arrangements made...so they all go to good use. It is also interesting to note that these herbs have a variety of medicinal effects  that range form dispersement of heat, cell accelerant, alterative and stimulant. They work the same way whether used on people, animals or other substances. Pretty cool.  I still have yet to find a place or situation that herbs can not be helpful.