Compost Q and A

After I got some questions from my most recent composting post, I thought I would just answer some of the questions in another post. I thought I would also post some of the old questions from my older posts.

Karen said: How often do you turn yours?

I turn the compost when ever I think about it. In the hot weather maybe every few days. Other times of the year, when ever I think about it. I do tend to cover up the kitchen scraps with dirt (turn it) to keep ants away.


Elle J said: Couple naive questions perhaps: Does it have a lid? How do you get wild critters from not digging/eating/messing in the bin and spreading it across your yard (we're raccoon country, or even birds for that matter)??

Well, those are not bad questions. Glad you asked. You can make or use a lid. I haven't but you can. If you are concerned about animals it wouldn't be a terrible idea. Some people use trash cans for their compos and that would have a lid. I have also seen tarps or an old carpet laid on top. I haven't had issues with animals. Make sure and not put meat scraps in there and that will help with animals (rats or coons or birds). Also, turning it and covering the kitchen scraps would help with that too.

Permission to mother said: Could I do this with a garbage can? Do you need worms?

Actually she posted this question back with my original post on composting (in fact, I posted that post for PTM). The garbage can does work. Either cut the bottom off or have lots of whole in the can. You don't need worms, you can buy or acquire red wigglers (a worm that eats composting HERE). When we were scooping the compost pile into our new bin, we found quiet a few worms. It is a good sign to see bugs like that in your compost. Nice healthy compost.

Susan said: Does it smell though?

To be honest, I have never noticed my compost bin smelling. And I am pretty sensitive to odors.

Rachael said: How about telling us what kinds of things CAN'T go in the pile? e.g. why no sauces?

Here are some things that should NOT go into the compost pile. Meats, fats, oils, dairy (other than egg shells), bones, dog/cat poo (but bunny litter and chicken manure is OK). You can compost sticks and branches but it takes a LONG time to decompose, so I tend to not include them. A big long list of what you can compost is HERE. As for no sauces, they are going to contain oils and cooked foods can tend to invite animals.


Hope that helps. Feel free to leave other ideas of things you like to compost that I have failed to mention. Hope this inspires and informs you. =)