Every spring and summer, much discussion and effort in my home go toward, well … garbage. Literally. Not trash, per se (which refers to those things not biodegradable or decomposable) but a more elemental use for the detritus of daily living – all in the name of preparing the garden compost at my house. Composting turns organic waste into nutrient-rich soil, benefiting the environment, especially gardens. The advantages of good compost can offer insight into what can be learned from it.
The art of any garden begins by leveraging that organic waste into compost and the multitude of benefits it brings. Trash becomes treasure. When viewed through the lens of humanity, we see that life is more abundant than we may feel, and that a surplus of essentials exists in the spoils we toss. What happens to these remnants? What if we could amend and transform them? How do we alter our perception of what is valuable, and how can we curate it for greater benefit? This is the conversation in my household as we consider every root that can be gathered for the garden: eggshells, rinds, coffee grounds, withered vegetables, florals, grass trimmings, weeds. Composting requires discipline and fortitude; it doesn’t happen overnight. The most worthwhile pursuits in life require patience and consistent effort.
The composting process is the real work of the gardener. The phrase "a beautiful garden grows in the shadow of the grower" submits that a garden flourishes under the care of tending hands… careful and thoughtful effort. Blooms emerge. However, celebrating beautiful new beginnings - standard with each turn of the season - means also praising the value of endings. By that measure, gathering what has served its expected purpose and seeing continued opportunities guides us to collect and plan for the potential in what might otherwise be “trash.” It becomes a treasure in the gardener’s hands.
What a beautiful metaphor. In your life, cultivate the soil, find value in the discarded, plant your seeds, and grow a garden… Good things come to those who wait… and compost. – CARRIE