What's That Smell?

Lasagna Gardening

My front yard has a distinct “Earthy” smell these days. I call it ‘eau de fall’. Ahhh, breathe in and know that the long hot days of summer are almost behind us. Okay, don’t breathe too deep. My front yard smells like manure.

Horse manure to be exact. It’s aged, mostly, except for those sticky clumps that Doug likes to roll around in.

Early this summer I decided the lawn needed to go. The weekly mowing routine is annoying in itself but, to me, lawns are nothing but wasted opportunities. The big patch of green taunts me with its chance to grow something way more spectacular then, well, grass. But with the planting regime of the summer the project would have to wait until fall.

I jumped the gun a little but with the break in the weather who’d blame me. Tarps went down a few weeks back to kill the grass. Newspaper was gathered by the pallet load from the Rappahannock Record. And then the manure, the sweet, musty allure of rich, composted manure. My lawn is morphing into a fall lasagna of organic growing.

Tomorrow my shoulders and legs will be screaming in protest but the pain will be tempered by the satisfaction of knowing that with the end of summer it is officially “project time” on the farm. The new wood shed will go up in a couple of weeks. Next year’s wood will be split and put up to dry. The fall bulbs will dig in deep for a winter’s sleep.

Fall is the time of the year when being outside is less about necessity and more of a luxury. It is the time of the year to pay it ahead in your garden. Breathe deep and know it is coming soon.

I’d love to hear about any fall projects you’ve got planned or suggestions for my new cutting garden. And, as always, thanks for stopping by.

Carolyn

#FarmLife