I don't take any grief from my compost pile. I use it when I'm ready---not when it's ready. And I have never seen any evidence of nitrogen tie-up. Of course I use only briefly composted manure*, too, so... In a reasonably well-built pile, you should easily be able to have compost in six months in N.H. I go into winter with at least 6 fresh bins, and when I need compost in the spring, I start with the oldest. Anything too unbroken down, I toss back into the wire bin that I've set in its new position next to its old position. I use my chunkiest compost as a mulch, and I fork my most finished compost into my vegetable beds. The latest I have ever gotten steam from a compost pile in Maine was late-Dec, but I don't try very hard. Different story in my chicken house where I use a deep litter method, much of which is leaves. I flipped it once during a long spell of negative teen temps and it poured steam. I cooled it off, though, by flipping and it never recovered heat. * I used manures from 1974-2007 and only once had a problem (from overapplication) when I married a man with a dumptruck. kimmsr's got me scared now, though, so I'm composting this year's manure until fall.

The event is in Carlsbad across from the Flower Fields. Over 300 different roses will be available. Click on the link for a list of all roses and the 2-day schedule. We'd love to have you. Bring a friend! If you can't make it, you can place bids online and we can ship or hold for pick-up. Here is a link that might be useful: Save the Roses! Auction

So, how was it? Did anyone go?

I agree you don't see many because the styles clash. The house you posted above is what I sometimes refer to as a builder show house... They built it to show clients how many different things they no how to do all on one project. This isn't the worst example... but look at all the things that don't quite go... There's brick, and stone, and shakes. One column looks like all brick base, and two look almost like stone base (can't tell for sure). There are windows with arched transoms. and windows with squared transoms. There are wooden truss looking beam features in each gable, but no other wood on the entire house. I don't know... its just kind of a mish mash for me. I'm sure someone smarter than me could find other oddities.