Today the sun was finally shining and even though the ground was still quite wet, I ventured outside and did a little gardening. Being from the south, I never would have thought that the upper 40's would feel warm to me, but it was glorious compared to the weather we've had lately.
First, I took a walk around to check things out. I had planted lilacs last year and they seem to be doing well and full of buds.

The Burning Bush, (Euonymus alata "Compactus"), hasn't fared as well. It seems that this shrub has been the favorite snack of the local rabbits. There isn't much left at all of this one. I'm not sure it will even live after having so much of it eaten.
The frustrating thing is that they just chew off the branches, it is so sad to see them chopped off and laying beside the shrub.

This one has major damage too, as does the third one in the grouping. I think next year I'll wrap them to protect them, that is if they even survive this winter.

I wanted to make sure that I had Verbena in the garden this year, so I went out today and collected just about all of the dried flowers, (thankfully I hadn't cleaned them up in the fall). I brought them inside and tapped them on a paper plate. I used a sifter to sift out some of the chaff and I was left with what I hope are the seeds; they are so teeny tiny. I winter sowed them in container number 16. I took some of the seeds to other parts of the yard and sprinkled them around. I still have quite a few seeds and will winter sow more in the next few days. I'll probably have Verbena everywhere, I hope so anyway.

Last year I attempted to create compost by using a plastic trash can for my waste. It wasn't particularly successful, but I didn't do things exactly as I was told by my friend. I didn't keep it watered, I didn't use straw, and I didn't roll it. I saved my straw bale from my autumn decorations and had it on the side of the house. Today I put some of the straw in can number one along with some coffee grounds, and kitchen and yard waste. I'll try to do a better job of watering it, but I still won't roll it. Hopefully it will produce better compost this time around.

We have another cold front moving through tomorrow and by Sunday it will probably be back down in single digits again. I'm so glad I was able to get outside and play a little today.

I went to one of the local Starbucks today and got a large bag of coffee grounds for my new compost pile. I also bought another trash can for a second compost pile. The first one seems to be doing well. It appears to be breaking down quickly and is staying warm and moist. I can't wait to spread that compost in my flower beds, the soil really needs enriching.

A friend was telling me about how she got great compost in two weeks. She said she got a metal garbage can, drilled holes in it on the bottom and sides, then she puts in about 12 inches of straw (she said it helps with drainage), her kitchen waste and shredded things from her yard. After attaching bungee cords she rolls the trash can across the yard everyday. In two weeks time she has very rich compost. I wanted to compost again but we can't have trash piles in this neighborhood so I thought I would try her method, with exception of the rolling the can across the yard. My neighbors will think I've gone loony if they see me doing that. I went to Walmart tonight and they didn't have a metal can, so I got this cheep plastic one for less than $6.00. I really had a lot of dirt and grass from the side yard and also where I'm putting the pathway so this can filled up quickly. I still want to get the metal can and see which one works better, (I need at least two anyway). I may not have compost in two weeks, but hopefully it won't take too much longer. Has anyone else used this method for composting?