• Blog - Outdoors - Tutorials

    T Tuesday: worm tower edition

    T stands for Tuesday

    Today for this edition of T stands for Tuesday I thought I’d share a DIY project made from recycled pieces of the kids old play set.

    recycled wood worm tower | Halle's Hobbies

    I read about worm tower composting on Pinterest. It looked like a great solution for my raised bed garden. Most of the links I saw used a PVC pipe instead of wood.

    Since we had scrap cedar laying around it seemed like a perfect use without spending any money. Mr. G did the construction and drilling of the holes for me after I explained my idea.

    recycled wood worm tower | Halle's Hobbies

    The holes let the worms migrate in and out of the tower to spread the compost throughout the raised bed.  Isn’t that awesome…they do the work for me!

    recycled wood worm tower | Halle's Hobbies

    We even had an old handle in the shed from the sandbox cover. A perfect fit for the lid.

    recycled wood worm tower | Halle's Hobbies

    Now it was time to  install … I dug down to the bottom of the box…well truth be told the box doesn’t have a solid bottom….just landscape cloth. I assume eventually that will rot away.

    recycled wood worm tower | Halle's Hobbies

    I back filled all around the tower and attached it with one screw just in case some critter decided to try and mess with it. It looks like it’s always been there.

    recycled wood worm tower | Halle's Hobbies

    Now all I needed was some composting worms.  Amazon.com never ceases to amaze me with what I am able to order.

    recycled wood worm tower | Halle's Hobbies

    This was a strange bin to find on my front step a few days later.

    recycled wood worm tower | Halle's Hobbies

    I started saving kitchen scraps after ordering my worms. The paperwork that came with them said they also enjoy paper and cardboard. I grabbed a couple handfuls of shredded paperwork and started layering the material in the tower.

    recycled wood worm tower | Halle's Hobbies

    Honestly I was worried about getting the worms…would they still be alive? Yep…red and wiggly. I have no idea if they will survive a Minnesota winter  in the garden and worm tower. From what I read they do have a good chance of survival.  Only time will tell.

    Do you compost? I’d love to hear about your system.

  • Art - Blog - Kitchen - Outdoors

    T Tuesday: end of season edition

    Ah here we are…the end of summer. Gardening is all but done. Leaves are turning and falling at a rapid pace around here. The birds and critters are frantically storing food for the long winter. IMG_0614

    I ripped out the plants from the home gardens yesterday. I still have plants in my in-laws garden that will come out next weekend.canningI’ve been canning like crazy. More spicy beans and salsa. I’m really looking forward to breaking into those jars come the dead of winter!!

    I also have to share my colorful carrots.carrots

    Aren’t they pretty!! I sampled a couple and they are quite tasty. These are going in my next beef roast dinner. YUM!

    My important phone call I mentioned last week came but not with the results I had hoped for. Such a bummer!!! I really thought I had that job! I even had gotten a tour of “my work space” at the end of the interview.

    BAH!! Anyway…moving on…

    Since I don’t have a regular gig to go to, I’ll continue to do my on-call subbing. At least that leaves time for art!

    I’ve actually done a bit of creating! Will wonders never cease! IMG_0617I completed one art journal page and just need to put the  final touches on a second. Waiting for paint and glue to dry. The above page isn’t my favorite but I was just happy that I still had the drive to create.

    I’ll be meeting with some friends for breakfast today…real casual. Likely head there after working out…seriously casual. 🙂 Not exactly sure what the rest of the day holds for me…other than a shower. HA!

    What are you doing today?

  • Blog - Outdoors

    T Tuesday: harvest edition

    Hello! I made it for T stands for Tuesday…I was beginning to think that I’d be missing it until school starts. I still won’t guarantee I’ll be here every week but I’ll certainly try my level best to join in the fun.

    T Tuesday: harvest edition| Halle's Hobbies

    I’ve been collecting seeds from my Cleome plant now that I know what it’s called. I’m guessing there will be a bunch of volunteers starting under the deck next Spring though since so may seed pods broke open before I noticed.

    T Tuesday: harvest edition| Halle's Hobbies

    Look at the pretty tomatoes on the vine. I’ve been having Caprese salad for lunch each day. The fresh mozzarella likely isn’t the best for the waistline but you’ve got to eat those tomatoes when they are at their peak!

    T Tuesday: harvest edition| Halle's Hobbies T Tuesday: harvest edition| Halle's Hobbies

    This was my harvest photos from the last two days! YUM!! Look at that ridiculous cucumber though…I finally just picked the dumb thing since it’s been that size for a week.

    T Tuesday: harvest edition| Halle's HobbiesI also so happy with the way my little flower garden is doing this year…

    T Tuesday: harvest edition| Halle's Hobbies

    The pots are so nice and full.

    Little J and I are off to the salon to get haircuts in a little while. I’m thinking I’m going to get 5-6 inches cut off. I’m tired of constantly having my hair in a ponytail or bun. Big J just endured almost 2 hours in the orthodontist chair this morning…poor kid.  We’ll have to bring home him some ice cream to sooth his sore mouth.

    What are you doing today?