Decided I'm going to make my own seed starting mix to try, so ordered in some sphagnum moss, fine grade vermiculite and perlite as ingredients. The sphagnum is specifically ment for starting seeds BUT it looked just a bit too "stringy" for me, got the brainstorm to "run it through" an old blender, that's been sitting out in the workshop, and refine it down a bit. I didn't even know if the blender would still work. It came to life however, growling, grating and screeching away, almost had me RUNNING for the door but it did give me what I wanted: a nicely chopped, rather coarse, finished product of sphagnum. When done, it was WD40 time for the contraption to see, if by chance, I could save it for further use, then let it sit a few days before trying anything else. There's outside plant containers too big and heavy to move, wanted to "beef up" their soils a bit with some end of the season comfrey and let it work into the soils during the winter. After cutting the comfrey up a bit, it was BLENDER TIME to see what would happen. Filled the container 1/3 full of water, added some comfrey, pushed a button and stood back! Away it went, sounding like it SHOULD, and waded right through what I put in it, time after time. End result wasn't overly pretty (if you've ever lived on a farm, the resulting "slurry" looked like the cow's had just dined on the first green grass of the year..need I say more?) but was easy to pour on soils and work in, can now add its trace elements and nutrients, be ready for spring planting. From here on, NOW that I know the blender won't blow up, every so often kitchen scraps will be put through it just before being added to compost barrel, especially anything with tough, old stalks, and I have no doubt many more gardening uses will be found for it as well. So, if you have an old blender, save it and put it to use..and LONG LIVE WD40!!
I do not do anything except add fresh mushroom compost or a year old compost as it is still good after 3 years.I use rose food, azalea food and thats about it.I would do all you do but not able to do as much as I use to.
What a great use for an old kitchen blender. Mine is still in use in the kitchen after nearly twenty five years!! Things were certainly made to last in days gone by - not like nowadays. I'm sure your plants will all love the 'soup' you are making for them and will delight you with wonderful blossoms and extra growth next year.
You're making me wish I had an old blender now! I really like it when people try something new and then share the results. Thank you very much, and long live WD40 and duct tape.
