The Joys of Composting

This is my lovely pre-compost jar. Yes, i said lovely. This is where i collect my food scraps. Let's see what's in here. Egg shells, pears, bananas, apple cores, onion peels and other assorted composty goodness. This week it got pretty gross. I usually like to dump it in the bin before it gets too sketchy (as seen above).

I started composting around this time last year. In February 2008 I signed up to join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) so I knew I would have a ton of kitchen scraps in the coming months (more on my CSA love affair to come). Those scraps surely didn't belong in my trashcan.

I Googled and Googled to find different composting methods that would work for an apartment dweller. There were three options: composting with worms, bokashi composting, or "regular" composting. I chose the "regular" composting because it seemed to be the the easiest. Not to mention I wouldn't have to buy any creepy crawlies.

How easy is it? You too can be composter in SIX simple steps.

Step 1: Buy a large Rubbermaid container from Target.

Step 2: Drill several holes in said Rubbermaid container (don't forget to drill the lid).

Step 3: Put some grass, organic soil or leaves in the bottom of your new compost bin. I collected some leave from a near by trail.

Step 4: Start collecting your kitchen scraps and deposit in you bin. Stick to fruit and vegetable bits, egg shells. and you'll be OK. Don't compost cheese, eggs, fats, meat, poultry or fish. As seen above I use a glass canister to collect my pre-compost scraps. When its full dump it in the bin.

Step 5: Every so often layer the kitchen goodies with more grass, soil or leaves. Turn or stir compost weekly or biweekly.

Now I've been alternating between Steps 4 and 5 for the last 12 months. I haven't yet harvested my compost and amazingly the bin never fills up. Now you will have the occasional visitor will reside in your bin. Don't fret. Don't fear. Those little guys are helping your composting cause. The are breaking down your waste into nutrient rich compost. Don't forget people pay a pretty penny for this stuff at garden centers.

Step 6: Harvest compost. Not sure on the exact mechanics of this but I did read something on using homemade compost in a back issue of Mother Earth Magazine (my new fave). I'll post again once I figure it all out. In short it involves sifting out large chunks and heating the compost to kill any non-beneficial microbes.

Here are some my composting related bookmarks.
Balcony Composting
Composting Indoors
Bokashi Composting

What do you all think of my adventures in compost land? Do you think it would fit into your lifestyle? Leave a comment let me know what you think.