Start composting with kitchen scraps.
Composting is a simple, economical way to recycle household waste and reduce the overall amount of trash you send to landfills. It's also a great way to provide a source of natural fertilizer for plants and vegetable gardens. Compost is decomposed organic material. All you need to get started is a compost bin and a combination of organic waste. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Research compost bins and determine which style works best for you. Consider compost tumblers that make turning (a required activity of composting) easier, traditional compost bins made from wood, plastic or wire, and vermiculture, which is composting trays filled with worms that help speed the decay of organic material. Look for a container that has comfortable handles, wide-opening doors and a drainage holes.
2. Select a spot in your yard or on a deck to place your container. You may want to place it in an unobtrusive location, but close enough for easy access when adding materials.
3. Place a mixture of yard and kitchen waste into your compost bin, tumbler or vermiculture bin. (For vermiculture composting, first place a layer of wet newspaper or cardboard on the bottom of three trays and set worms on top of the wet material.) Place about four feet of moist leaves and grass clippings into a pile, spread it out slightly and shred the leaves by mowing over them with a mulch mower. Rake up the material and place it in the container.
4. Add organic kitchen scraps, particularly ones high in nitrogen like eggshells, coffee grounds and fruit and vegetable peels, to your compost bin. Mix the leaves and kitchen scraps together well and cover your compost bin.
5. Turn your compost tumbler frequently. Use a pitchfork or shovel to turn the compost pile every other day to aid the process of decomposition.
Tags: your compost, kitchen scraps, compost bins, compost tumbler, organic material