tagged w/ how to compost
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Get this composting bin and free shipping here: http://www.ecobold.com/products/2519-100-recycled-composting-bin
Composting is becoming very popular and lots of people now want to learn how to compost. It's very easy and very rewarding. There are three basic rules to composting:
1. Only add raw fruits or vegetable scraps, everything goes: pits, skins, even when they're moldy
2. Turn it about once a week
3. Use the result, a black healthy soil, in your garden, flowers, trees and give it to friends
To get started, you will want to get a composting bin, the one we highlight is made by the Happy Gardner and has free shipping. It's very strong and easy to assemble, we assembled it in literally five minutes. Then, put the bin in a location you'll want to keep on for the next few years, either with full sun throughout the day or partial sun. Some people recommend that you begin the compost by putting about a foot of straws and dry leaves, but it's not really necessary. You can now begin to put all kinds of raw fruits and vegetable scraps: banana peel, orange peel, seeds, tomato vine, coffee grinds (you may also leave the paper filter), coconut shell, and any other fruit or veggie you have. Make sure it's only raw, no processed or cooked food, do not add any bread, dairy, meat or fish. Consider your composting bin to be on a "gluten free raw vegan diet". I also recommend getting some worms from your local nursery to get the breakdown going a few weeks after starting. One of the reasons not to put cooked vegetables (unless they were steamed and with no seasonings or oils) is that it will not only attract unwanted animals and insects but it will also likely make your composting go bad entirely, even killing the worms.
Once you have it going, make sure to turn it about once a week. If you live in a dry area, make sure to sprinkle about a gallon of water every three weeks or so, just make sure that the compost is healthy. If you didn't add worms at the beginning stages, you'll probably see them coming around six months after you started your compost. When you see them, do not panic, they are the life that keeps it strong and helps make a very healthy fertilizer, also called black hummus, which is one of the best things for your plants.
Congratulations! Now you have a compost going. Your bin will give you a very rich soil that you can add to your garden and flowers. This soil is as good as it gets.
Lastly, if you live in an apartment you still have a couple of options, the first is to talk to the management and ask them to get a community compost going where everyone can contribute (imagine how much trash you'd be diverting from landfills!). The second is to keep your fruits and vegetable scraps separate in a container and give it every week to someone who has a composting bin. There are also indoor composters which is something that we will be reviewing in another few months.
We hope you enjoyed learning how to compost and will get your bin going soon, you'll see what a huge difference you're making not only in our environment but also in your own garden.Get this composting bin and free shipping here:... more
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