We started a compost pile on the edge of our garden. This fall I dumped in all the leaves I raked from a cherry tree. I didn't have much more to add than that, but it was a start. Then I started researching for what I needed for compost. Both green and brown. Leaves and grass clippings and scraps from my kitchen. Once I started *thinking green* it is pretty easy. Coffee grounds, egg shells, banana peels, strawberry tops, orange peels. apple cores, brown lettuce...the list goes on.
The key is to keep it wet and warm. I have a hose right next to it and I spray it every day or so. I also turn it with a pitch fork. It is amazing to see this stuff decompose. I hope to put it in our garden this year. I recently added ashes from the fire. (basically burned up wood). Ashes turn into the greatest soil.
I took these pictures several weeks ago and now all of this stuff has turned into dirt. Pretty cool...
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7 comments:
This compost post is well worth the wait. I'm in a zero lot line house (for non-Floridians that means we basically have no property). Could I do this with a garbage can? Do you need worms?
I don't have much of a garden or yard, but it would still be good fertilizer for the few herbs and pots I do keep.
Interesting that you mentioned worms. I will post on that later. They are fascinating.
You can compost in a small bin. If you did it in a can, have some holes in the bottom. I recently left some yard clippings in a garden cart and forgot about them. I noticed that it turned to compost pretty quickly. In fact I dumped it into my compost pile.
I remember my dad having a small compost bin in our yard when we were kids. Try googling images for compost bins. That will give you some ideas.
Funny you mention recycling- I was researching where to take all theses boxes! Maybe being land owners does that to you. We are also hoping to put in a garden this year. Joseph can't wait!
We have a compost bin in our backyard. It looks like a trash can but with no bottom. It sits directly on the ground and there is a little door in the side that you can open and get the composted material out of the bottom while still adding to the top. I usually have a big bowl on the kitchen counter that I put all vegetable and fruit scraps in and take it out every day or so. You can also add your dryer lint.
You inspired me. I've been thinking about starting one.
Cool. I will have to try the can kind that you can put on a porch. Does it smell though? I'll have to be as GREEN as I can in crowded, cementfilled Tokyo!
Wow, now that is a pretty compost bin! I have been wishing for a pretty, contained one myself, but we just have this huge pile in the woods. We are also on a couple of acres and are fellow tree huggers. I actually spent a semester in Forestry school, but then realized it was geared toward cutting the trees down so I switched. I can't bear to wear anything on my feet but Birkenstocks as well; even with dresses. Although in the garden I go for the crocs.
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