Compost

I’ve always wanted to start my own composting pile, but I’ve been a little intimidated. I had done a little research on my own and things like nitrogen/ carbon ratio made composted seem like something that was too complicated. Plus, I was overwhelmed by the choices of compost bins available in the market and worried it might smell and attract animals. So when my neighbor told me about a free composting class offered right by my house, I signed up. I’m sure glad I did.

 The class was held this past Saturday, and it was only an hour long. The class answered three basic questions I had: What kind of bin to buy, where to put the bin, and what to put in it.

 What kind: The best bins are the open caged typed bins. They let air circulate. According to the lady teaching the class, the big plastic bins often don’t let air in.

 Where to put it: Your compost has to cook in order to break down. I thought this meant putting it in a sunny spot. But it is the chemical reaction taking place that makes the stuff heat up, not the sun. The best place is a shady spot, so that it is not too cumbersome when you have to turn the compost.

 What to put in it: vegetable scraps, spoiled produce, egg shells, coffee/tea grounds and filters, grass clippings, spent plant and trimmings. DO NOT PUT: oil or animal fats, meat and bones, dairy products, peanut butter, weed seeds or pesticides. About animal droppings: you can put droppings of animals that are herbivores like chicken and bunnies. DO NOT PUT poop of animals that eat meat. So I have my compost bin set up and put in a layer of grass and leaves. Then I buried my first pot of kitchen scraps. (You have to bury the kitchen scraps). The compost needs to be moist like a well-wrung out sponge. My leaves and grass were already wet from the rain, so I haven’t added anything. Now fingers crossed, we’ll see if this works.