Thanks, bud! The compost setup also came with the house. For the first few years we didn’t make good enough use of it, but as soon as we did we really started seeing a big difference in our gardens. At this point, literally everything that can be composted (with the exception of dog shit) goes in there. Late this fall I am going to add all the finished compost to the main vegetable area and supplement with fresh cow patties. I can collect as many as I need from the Crown (public) forests where ranchers let their cattle roam. I am out there all the time anyway, so I keep a flat shovel and bucket in the truck. Free organic fertilizer!
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One thing I forgot to mention on my garden tour is Purslane. Until recently, I considered this to be an invasive pest/weed. I didn’t even know the name of it. While watching MIgardener on youtube, he mentioned Purslane and showed a little piece of it. I was intrigued so I looked up some photos on the Internet. I immediately recognized it as the low, succulent-like weeds that cover every space they can find in my garden.
Looks like this:
This all happened a couple days after my wife, daughter and I ripped out about 3 pounds of it and threw it in the compost. Luckily, it is nearly impossible to kill and is already making a comeback. I can’t wait to start putting it in salads, and I am eager to try this recipe
https://hildaskitchenblog.com/recipe/purslane-recipes/
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Holy Crap! Same here, I’ve been ripping it out for years!
Cheers
G
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It’s loaded with Omega 3s and a bunch of other great stuff! Tastes like lemony lettuce with a hint of pepper.
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Apparently… " a 100 gram reference amount, purslane supplies 20 calories, and rich amounts (20% or more of the Daily Value, DV) of vitamin E (81% DV) and vitamin C (25% DV), with moderate content (11-19% DV) of several dietary minerals "
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Love the diversity in your yard my friend. The critters must be happy 
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Yes! In fact I just discovered some Ladybugs yesterday hanging around my tomatoes! Tons of different types of bees, butterflies, worms, etc. Birds as well, of course. I could do with fewer Magpies. I hate those a-holes.
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This is very similar to my Mom’s recipe.
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Awesome! I’ll have to try that! Thanks for posting it!
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Purslane is good for high blood pressure and diabetes too.
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Wow incredible. Love it
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Ya purslane is one of those survival weeds that you can eat along with lambs quarter … there’s a good book out there written from a lady down in the Durango area if interested I can search for ya if your into that type of thing weeds are actually more nutritious the the vegetables we eat!
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Right on, I’ll look for it. I have been interested in learning more about edible wild plants (I even have some books) but until now I haven’t made enough of an effort. I have a friend who forages for mushrooms, etc.
I’ve made a(nother) commitment to myself to eat healthier foods and foraging is something that I want to do a lot more of.
Thanks a lot!
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Her impact in the town of Durango is amazing the whole town is totally organic in their sprays for parks and such there’s a small restaurant ( reservation ) where a whole meal is prepped using nothing but weeds. TURTLE LAKE REFUGE google it for more info
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Lol we get 30inches a year and its fairly humid here (50-80% in summer) and the crops are all begging for water!!! Have to water my garden basically every day in this 90degree heat.
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It’s a lot of work, but once you get out there it’s so rewarding and addictive!
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Weeds are just plants without a virtue. So by definition, any of the weeds in that book are now back to being plants, phew! 
edit This nerdy statement does not apply to non-native species. They are actually ‘bad’.
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On the hot days of a typical summer here (between 35C and 38C is pretty normal) we hover between 22 and 25 % R.H. So far this year, we have not even come close to these conditions.
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Whew! That’s desert hot! You’re in Canada?
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