So I've been reading conflicting reports...I have a question here. I just scored a big bag of Starbucks grounds/filters, and had a decent collection of various other table scraps/cardboard I wanted to add to the pile. So I went ahead and turned it, added all the new additions, hosed lightly, and re leveled the pile. Some say let the pile cool down, and that's when you turn the pile to get it to reheat. Others say let it cook for a few days, and then turn, to get the pile to cook evenly. (taking care of any cold spots). What's the consensus here? I know either way, compost will happen. :) Just curious...

Watboy, it can be rather difficult to get a pile to heat up when it is being constantly stirred by the addition of what you put it into it every day. Two piles,...one that is given the new, the other being left alone for a time and having the things that does bring up the temperature--grass clippings for example, will show you just how warm it can get. Grass clippings, wettened, will bring the temperature up. Sometimes so much so that putting your hand into the centre of the pile can be downright dangerous. Of course it all depends too on just what kind of material has also been added. Keeping your one pile in a more balanced mix is a more reliable way to generate what your garden will appreciate in that short time.

I potted up seven more seedlings today, and repotted a couple that I purposely put in small pots, to repot a little bigger as they matured. Trying a couple different techniques with babies this year. Some outside, some inside, some in the same pot until they go in the ground, some repotted twice. And the grand tally _ I have 29 plants, assuming not a single one of the other seeds I have started makes it _ and some of them are looking pretty good. I'm actually starting 15 different varieties this year looking for the best of the best for my conditions. I can't believe I went this nuts! And now y'all are making want to look for a couple other varieties! Someone stop me! For those going to Ricky's swap, I'll have a bunch of tomatoes there. I planted two of each, a few more of some, and I clearly don't have room for that kind of tomato patch on my little 1/3 acre! Seriously, if you want tomatoes and don't want to bother starting them, I'm going to have waaaay too many. And if anyone wants to start some, email me, I still have way too many seeds because I wanted to try so many varieties. Tomorrow: I finish hoeing up weeds in the veggie-bed-to-be (it goes to weeds in the summer, with a few beans, in hopes they improve the soil a little.) And I will mulch it tomorrow. I swear. Yes, that was my plan for today, but gosh it was hot. It won't be so hot tomorrow. LOL. I've got some cow manure I'm going to rake in. Already spread some compost. Then I'll let it sit mulched, with newspaper underneath, for a few weeks before I set out the plants in October. I can't wait! I'm also thinking of trying to do a raised bed in an area where the soil is particularly poor. Actually, I'm thinking of putting tomatoes just about everywhere! I've got a couple of those grow bags, came free a couple years ago with an order of I don't remember what. I'm wondering if I can put some cherries in them and hang them on the wall? And I'm seriously planning to take an unused garment rack out into the yard this year to put a hanging tomato planter on and then plant beans under it, with string for them to grow on. Is that crazy? The soil there could use some bean improvement. The one I can't get to start: Everglades cherry. That surprised me. I thought they were pretty easy. Susannah

Posted by gardenarts . . . both super sweet and flavorful. Sugar Ann is a snap pea, but you can also let it go to shell pea stage. . . A real positive for the entire snap pea group! Miss 'em, shell 'em. I was snacking on the missed peas today, as I was clearing the snap pea vines from the bed. It is all planted to bush beans now and we are on to the Green Arrow shell peas. There weren't many snow peas. I don't know why I didn't get more seed in the ground. Oh well, just about ready to find some bare soil to plant a few for the fall. Yes, I suppose I could just plant them where they are growing now but I won't be committing a whole bed to them, that's for sure. They don't do as well for me when sown in summer. Steve