Well it isn't what I would have put on my wishlist for the holidays, but any garden sure would enjoy some steamy horse poop. We give our gardens exactly what they need. Thanks to Carla and Mark from OCDC for all their hard work. What a day it was. The three of us trekked into Tualatin farm land searching for a stable owner who promised us a HILL of horse manure most of it composted. We got what we wanted. We headed to a miniature horse farm out of Tualatin (name omitted for privacy reasons) and found a stable of about 5o mini horses all of them so cute. On the walk to the horse pilings, they were neighing and swaying because they were just about to be fed. They were excited by us and us by them. Carla is familiar and comfortable around horses so she began petting them and talking to them too. There were a couple big doggies that were concerned with the outsider presence but more confused with why we were shoveling horse poo I am sure. Barking us along the path, the dogs were trying to herd us into the stable doors. The hill of poo itself was 50 square feet and about 20 feet high and eight years old easily the biggest oldest pile I have seen. It was steaming but not smelly at all...least not to me. I can't speak for the others. Mark Carla and I proceeded to take about 10 cart loads of this prized compost away and were encouraged to return for more "anytime you want". It was filled to the max with wriggling worms and cocoons. GOLD. Mark and I drove out the compost to the Silverton garden where we spread it around our garden areas and filled some in ground pots as well. Although it might be a little hot (the compost might be strong and burn the plants if it isn't composted enough) the compost spreading will keep these beds and in ground pots running great for several years eliminating the need for additional soil amendments. Most of the poop we selected was fully composted but there was a mix of ages in there. For now, it is nap time for the garden. It needs a break just like we just had. March we will start some plantings of peas, spinach, salads, and radish. We were generously given 100 seed packets from High Mowing Seeds out of Vermont. All organic seeds too! I am hoping to have some more seeds come from Territorial and some plant starts coming from the American Center for Sustainability in May. If planted in April and May, we should have a strong garden for summer and fall. Still looking for volunteers and hoping to get some work done soon. One more volunteer gained...Jen who worked as a firefighter out in Alaska the last few months will be assisting with some construction and maintenance out at Silverton and possibly Linden. Hoping to lead some organic gardening classes in the Spring so look here for when and where those will be. Like what you see here and want more? Have some questions about OCDC? Are you a parent, student, or volunteer that wants more info or involvement? Contact me at the central office extension 1087 and I will be happy to answer those questions for you. You can also contact me at ocdcgardens@gmail.com .
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