| Gardeners know that compost is a wonderful | | | | coffee, and eggshells can be added; experts say |
| amendment to the soil. Fortunately, making | | | | not to add meat, bones, dairy products, eggs or |
| compost isn't hard. You can create a pile out of | | | | oils) to 1 part brown materials (high in carbon)- |
| your kitchen scraps and yard waste pretty simply | | | | this means leaves, straw, hay, wood shavings, |
| and eventually it will decompose without much | | | | newspaper, and cardboard). |
| input on your part. | | | | When building your pile, you should layer the |
| There are many compost bins on the market and | | | | greens and browns and add water to help jump |
| these are great if you don't have a lot of extra | | | | start their breakdown. Then keep an eye on the |
| room, you like to keep things neat and orderly, | | | | moisture level and turn the contents with a |
| and if you don't particularly want to look at an | | | | pitchfork every week or two to make sure it |
| "ugly pile". Bins/containers can also ensure that the | | | | continues to decompose evenly. The more you |
| contents get turned properly and heated optimally | | | | turn the materials over and get things stirred up, |
| for good breakdown, so you will likely end up with | | | | the faster it will decompose. |
| a finished usable product sooner than if you just | | | | There are many websites that offer composting |
| build a pile and let it sit there. | | | | advice, as well as tips and techniques. These can |
| If you have an out-of-sight spot, though, a pile is | | | | be helpful to get things going, and they are a |
| the simplest and cheapest way to get the job | | | | good place to turn if things don't seem to be |
| done. And if you put in just a bit of work, you will | | | | going well with your pile. |
| see great results from your efforts. | | | | If you don't have any land and/or you are looking |
| For adequate heating, it is best to make a pile | | | | for another way to recycle your food scraps, |
| that is 3 feet by 3 feet. Water should be added | | | | you can try using a worm bin. The original and |
| to keep the pile as moist as a "wrung out | | | | best book on the subject of making compost |
| sponge". So keep it covered with a tarp if it's | | | | with worms (vermiculture) is Worms Eat My |
| raining a lot and it's getting too wet, and water it | | | | Garbage by Mary Appelhof. |
| with a hose when conditions are very dry. | | | | Whichever way you choose to compost, know |
| Compost piles usually contain 1-2 parts green | | | | that all of your "green efforts" really do make a |
| materials (high in nitrogen)- this means grass | | | | difference. Thanks for doing your part to save |
| clippings, green plant trimmings, and food scraps | | | | the environment, and enjoy the healthy soil you'll |
| (all fruit and veggie scraps, grains, organic tea and | | | | create with your composting efforts! |