Squashing A Few Confusing Myths
It's okay to allow squash and zucchini to grow large. Allowing at least one to grow large is necessary to ensure viable seeds are produced so the seeds can be saved. The seeds can also be roasted. Large squashes/zucchini are delicious steamed, baked or fried. Many animals kept at home will eat these large veggies. The large squash/zucchini can be dried, canned, frozen or pickled. Compost is actually de-compost because composting is actually a decomposition process. Decomposition de-composes what has been composed. It breaks it down. It takes apart what has been put together. "Compost" is an inaccurate confusing term because the opposite is actually taking place. Nature composts by decomposing on the spot. Scattering household and yard wastes (shredded or not) throughout the garden, under trees, behind bushes (on top or under mulch) is a more direct, ecosystem-efficient way of de-composting. No need to rotate crops if (1) more than one crop is planted in the same spot at the same time or over the course of a year, or (2) you continue building soil and that soil has continuous de-composition taking place which means it is mulched and thus has a very active soil life of worms, ants, beetles, wood lice, centipedes, etc. or (3) if nothing is planted in the area for a full year or (4) if there is no nutrient or disease problem with the crop. When was the last time someone rotated an apple tree or a blueberry bush? If it is not necessary for perennials, it is not absolutely necessary for annuals. An ecosystem approach minimizes the need for crop rotation of annuals.Replanting A Gardener's Golden Grail: Nitrogen-Fixing Fixation
