Quick veggie garden update

The scallions are growing well, and the peas are shooting up skyward. The dill, parsley, and spinach are growing slowly. The two cucumber plants, unfortunately, are drying up. I believe that the nights have gotten too cold for them - we were expecting the weather to stay warmer for a while yet.

The compost bin accumulated enough green stuff (food scraps and fresh young leaves) that I was able to add a second layer of brown stuff (crumbled, dry leaves). I didn't find the smell of the food scraps bothersome until my housemate started adding her coffee grounds. However the coffee is very good in compost, and the worms will love it, so I put up with it. I haven't gotten the worms yet because there is a worm shortage in our area - wasn't expecting that!

Compost bin ready!

My plan came together mostly without any hitches. Meet the fancy new compost bin:

I bought two storage bins and punched holes in them for air flow. The bottom bin has a clear plastic door on one side which allows you access the contents without unstacking the bins. That is perfect because the finished compost will be sifting into it from above!

I cut out the bottom of the top bin and replace it with a metal mesh. The hitch was that I had planned to secure it with a staple gun, but my gun was not cooperating, so I resorted to duct tape instead (as one often does).

I excitedly filled the bottom with a layer of "brown stuff" (crumbled dead leaves), and then started the first layer of "green stuff" (food waste and some fresh leaves).

I still need to acquire worms, since the store did not have them in stock. After that, it's just adding, mixing, and watering!