Re: Conundrum

**&* L* <t*@earthlink.net>**

D.C.: They must have water to survive. Cover the compost with landscape

fabric and what's left of August should do them in. P.L.

----- Original Message -----

From: "Duane Campbell" <dcamp911@gmail.com>

To: "GWL" <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 2015 9:33 PM
Subject: [GWL] Conundrum

Itâs hard to imagine getting tired of Miss Kim lilac, but this one had

taken over a rather large garden area. This spring I ripped most of it

out, potting up ten one and two gallon containers to give to friends and

for my annual two hour plant sale. (Two bucks and I couldnât sell them

all; I live among Philistines.) The intent was to create a new planting

quickly, not wait until weeds covered the entire plot four feet tall, but

it was a cold, miserable spring. So I have finally gotten to it. Since

this area had been planted with shrubs and perennials for a couple of

decades or more, little had been done to improve the soil. Fortunately I

had two 3X3X3 foot (originally) compost piles ready to harvest. Simple.

Deconstruct the compost piles, spread several inches on the plot, dig it

in, and put in plants that had been waiting patiently for a few months.

Not simple. (The motto on my personal crest is Nil umquam facile est.)

The compost has become the happy home of wasps, German yellowjackets

perhaps, but though I speak German they donât answer), who are claiming

birthright citizenship in my compost. These are not common stinging

insects that create a quick burning sensation, you run in and grab the

anti-sting stick (I did that), and after a couple of hours it goes away.

No, these are super stingers. My first meeting provided several stings

that left me in agony for two days. I have literally never felt such pain.

Iâd rather have my gall bladder out again. Seriously. It took a week for

the effects to completely fade.

Much to the distress of my daughter who is quasi-organic, I powdered the

whole compost pile with Sevin dust, like an April snowfall, threw a tarp

over it, and waited for three days. Then I dressed in the August heat as

if it were January, removed the tarp, and swung a pick into the middle of

the pile. I have done a lot of stupid things in my life, but this is

certainly in the top ten list. Fortunately there was little skin exposed

and I had been educated by prior experience to run as if I were not

superannuated.

So here, finally, is my question. How do I get these bastards out of my

compost? The barren plot out front awaits your wisdom.

Duane Campbell
Syndicated garden columnist
Author: Best of Green Space; 30 Years of Composted Columns

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