Composting is Easy and Inexpensive

I garden on what some people consider to be a large scale (to me it isn't). I also compost, I have been doing it for over 40 years. What gets me are the people who make comments such as "I wish I had room to compost" or "I don't have enough to compost", or "I don't know how to compost" and the killer is "I don't have the money to compost".

Composting is simple, easy, takes "no" money and little brains. Do you have a large container with a hole or leak in it, such as a trash barrel, tote, or hamper? If so, use it. If not, composting can be done in a pallet, small fenced area, or simply a pile. It will break down faster if you place it in a sunny location. Your container can not be water tight, as that will hold rain water and attract mosquitoes and your items will not compost properly. I use a animal stock tank (water tank) that has a hole in it.

Into your compost area, you will put any grass clippings and yard waste, and vegetative kitchen waste, such as egg shells, potato peelings, pot contents from the houseplant that died, the insides from your Halloween pumpkin, that tomato that went bad in the refrigerator, or old salad that never got eaten. Do not use meats, they do compost well, but they smell and attract raccoons, cats, and dogs; so you want to avoid that. Also, do "not" add contents of the cat litter box.

Every time you add something or at least weekly, stir your compost pile with a shovel or pitchfork. If it is dry, water it. Over time, the combination of the sun, heat, and water will break down your pile contents into nice rich compost. When needed, remove it from the pile and use. You may want to start a 2nd pile if the first pile is ready, or you may elect to turn your first pile into a place to plant.

No fancy additives are needed, no fancy equipment or containers. It is very simple, just takes time.

You can also compost over the winter months, but if your area freezes, it will be a slower process.

By mom-from-missouri from NW, MO