Composting

Image courtesy of The Happy Housewife. Click on the image above to find out how to a composte bin yourself! She has a wonderful how-to! Super cheap too!

Let me just say that I wish I had seen this easy homemade version before I bought one! Oh well! The good news is that we received a gift card to Home Depot for Christmas to buy a composter. Thanks, Mom!

Composting is new to me. I am just beginning this process, so any of you, who have been composting awhile, please feel free to throw in your two cents!

So why compost?

• It’s a great way to recycle.

• Compost adds nutrients to your soil.

• And this additional soil will save you money too!

What is compost?

• Essentially compost is your leftover raw organic materials (yard and kitchen scraps) thrown together in a pile. Learn about 163 things you can compost, and not all kitchen scraps can be composted! So read the list.

How does it work?

• The compost must be kept warm – around 130 or 140 degrees. This happens naturally when an appropriate amount of Nitrogen is in the pile.

• Also, the pile needs to be turned regularly to prevent the pile from becoming overly wet and smelling from oxygen intolerant bacteria.

• The Carbon to Nitrogen ratio should be about 30:1. This yields results quickly. This chart can help you to even out your ratio. It doesn’t need to be an exact science. Just keep this in mind. You want more Carbon items than Nitrogen. A good rule of thumb is: Browns are high in Carbon, and greens in Nitrogen.

Like I said, I am a complete novice at this, but I will gladly TRY to answer any questions! Any pros out there have any advice to pass along?

Sources: Lewis Gardens, Plantea, Composting 101