A winter chore dilemma: burning or composting leaves for the garden

I recently took a survey of my property and realized I have work to do. It happens every winter. Fortunately there aren't any holes in the fence or damage to any structures from the wear and tear of livestock milling about.

The animals are innocent this time. It's nature that each year takes a toll. I thought I had it figured out last year by letting the wind blow the leaves from one side of the property to the other. This year the wind blew strong from both directions and this year I had leaves stacked up on both sides of the fencing.

My two-and-a-half-person crew went to work a couple weeks ago attacking both north and south sides of the fences as we condensed a huge pile of leaves and debris into several 39 gallon plastic bags that we stored until a dry weekend and burn day presented itself. Oh, the half person is the youngest grandchild who puts as little effort out as possible, but does help just the same.

It did just that the following Saturday and Sunday. That's when all six bags of huge Sycamore leaves were emptied onto the traditional burn pile and torched along with a few branches that the wind also brought down.

We do have a recycling process on the property that includes aluminum and plastic containers and - yep - good ol' horse manure. I have considered composting the leaves, but just haven't created a compost bin yet - one of those to do things.

Horse manure is particularly good for gardens and at my place, and is never-ending. My neighbor's garden is flourishing because of this wonder material. I use it too, but my garden won't hold a candle to the volume he plants each year.

Ash from burn piles can be worked into the soil, I'm told, and provides necessary nutrients.

Now that the leaves are gone off the trees the other areas in my yard that need attention are more visible. I can clearly see my vegetable garden will be the next item on my agenda at home. Old tomato plants need to be pulled out, the strawberry patch needs thinning and the other raised bins need to be de-weeded and tilled. This is the time for bare root planting in case you are inclined to add more vegetation to your yard. Personally, I have enough trees that offer plenty of shade.

A few days ago I pruned the rose bushes back, another wintertime chore that can be done right now. I plan to trim back the cherry tree that really took off last year.

Once the unwanted debris is cleared from my garden, I will try something new this year as part of the fertilization process. I have a friend who raises goats. Each year the herd multiplies into goats upon goats that leave droppings behind as they graze and browse.

She said that goat droppings were the key to her successful tomato bins. I just can't imagine - goat droppings? But, she is so certain that it was the key to growing those big, beautiful, red tomatoes that she said were also delicious, I'm willing to try it.

So, I will trek to her property and, you got it, shovel goat droppings for my tomatoes.

My tomatoes last year were a disappointment, to say the least. I found myself going to the local farmers' markets for them last summer.

We can probably expect produce to take a jump upwards in price if too may farmers don't plant this year because of a drought condition. So it would behoove those of us that have a plot of ground to plant a garden and grow our own seasonal vegetables and then can it.

Did I say can it? That's work. Oh boy, I know because I've do it before. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have a job-and-a-half that occupies so much of my time. But, face it. We are probably going to be forced to take a few steps back in time and learn how to get by in spite of adversity.

Now to roll up the sleeves and dig in. The end result will hopefully be worth the investment of time and energy.

I'll tell you one thing, there's nothing like a fresh tomato in your salad or on a sandwich - a tomato that came straight from the garden and that's a fact.

I guess I know what I'll be doing over the next weekend now that the leaves are burned and the roses are pruned.