A SIMPLE COMPOST PILE

Years ago we put a sandbox in our backyard. After our children outgrew it, we saw that leaves had fallen into it and were decaying, so we decided to convert it into a compost pile. Raked-up leaves and grass clippings were added and turned into the soil. If we dug a hole to plant something or to put in larger window wells, we added the excess dirt. Banana peels, orange peels, fruit that spoiled, etc., all went in. We found we could bury shredded credit card offers in it too, and it all composted to good black soil. When we planted some miniature apple trees, the soil from the holes was added to the pile, and rich soil from the pile was used instead around the trees. Low spots in the yard? Add a little composted soil. We added it also along the foundation so that water would drain away from the house. When the garden at the elementary school needed soil, we wheeled a lot over there. And this year? A vine sprouted from the pile and rapidly covered it. We wondered what it was, until we found first one, then two and finally three cantaloupe growing there! Yes, they were edible. So we had years of return on our investment of a little time now and again.