Friday, April 29, 2022 Project regrow and restore is well on it’s way. The entire main pasture has been neglected and we’re giving it a chance to recover this year. The best help we can give it is our black gold (and a rest from the animals). The bean piles go through many stages. It can be used straight from the animals without burning plants, it can also be dried and chopped for easy spreading and it can compost for a year and used the next year. But occasionally we let it compost and age for years and then it’s what I call Black Gold. The stuff in the tractor bucket in the photo below is from a pile we collected in the boys pasture and I bet it’s at least 7 years old if not older. It used to be about 40% leftover hay with 60% those lovely beans the alpacas produce every day. All the hay is broken down as it composts and the micronutrients in this black gold are just what our depleted soil needs. Talk about recycling! It’s a big project for us but we’re doing it at our pace so it’s all good. We started a little of the reseeding yesterday and will get more done next week. The we use the leftover hay bits to spread over the seed to hold the moisture in until it germinates. More recycling! Buy a farm – never be bored! Happy Friday!
Photo of the Day: Farmer Ed moving the Black Gold. 
Sunny
Who could foresee, while we were working at The Copy Man, that this is where you and Ed would be today?! Schlepping alpaca beans! 😂😂💪🏻❤️❤️🚜👩🌾 And me coveting your ranch life.
Linda
Haha! It was always my goal but back in those days it sure seemed like just a dream! Good times back then too. ❤️
KATHIE CARPENTER
That is beautiful! Happy Friday!
Linda
Thanks Kathie! Not everyone can appreciate the beauty! 😄
Beth
Looks delicious! Gorgeous!
Linda
Gorgeous yes, Delicious? I dunno. I’ll let you try it and tell me. 😁
Lana
I’m always amazed at how it turns into black soil after composting. Black Gold indeed!! That old stuff looks awesome! (As does Farmer Ed). Can’t wait to see the pasture after your planting germinates. It will look like Ireland of the West. 🙂
Linda
Thanks Lana. It really is awesome stuff. The boys had been using it as a climbing hill and are not too happy with this new plan of ours! Fingers crossed the rains will cooperate with our plan!