What is Compost?
Ready to learn how to compost? First wipe out any negative image you have at the thought of it…(I had tons too….they’re mostly wrong) and think about the amazing nature of what’s actually happening….
Here’s how it works: Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Throw the leftovers in a compost bin or worm composting bin. Stir. Water (or let it rain on it). Wait. When the compost is ready, it becomes food for your garden. Your garden grows and flourishes. It feeds you. You compost the scrapes from the garden and start all over again.
What’s not to love about that?? (And it’s a hip conversation starter to say you know how to make dirt!)
Starting the Cycle
To begin with, figure out where you could put a compost bin (outside). You can make simple composting areas with a bit of chicken wire and a few posts, buy a compost bin, or make a free one using pallets.
Next, get a pail, bucket, bowl, etc. (with a lid) that can be placed somewhere in your kitchen to collect scraps (to be emptied daily or near daily into an outside compost bin). Throw all your fruit and vegetable scraps (that you’re not going to feed to the chickens) into this bucket. It might take a bit of practice, but sooner or later composting those scraps that you normally threw away will become second nature.
Occasionally add water (unless you live somewhere like I do and get lots of rain naturally), shredded newspaper, grass clippings, straw, dried leaves, etc. and stir it around a bit. Nature will do the rest for you. In about 3 months or so, you’ll have amazing, lovely super charged homemade dirt to add to your garden.
It’s as easy as that. (or even easier…once I didn’t turn it at all and still got amazing soil…)
What to Add?
You can add almost anything to your compost bin…with a few exceptions. Here’s a basic list:
Try it out and see if you don’t get addicted to turning your trash into something that ultimately nourishes you.
