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Monday, April 27, 2015

Easy Backyard Compost



 Composting...what an interesting idea. Using all that yucky, gooey stuff that would normally fill your garbage can, as food for soil. Soil that feeds your plants. Luscious, green plants that will feed your family. Hopefully, all winter long. 
 Does a compost pile sound complicated to you? I thought the same at first. But what if a compost pile could be contained and covered in such a discrete and clever way that you wouldn't even see or smell it. What if it could be stored in a neat, tidy tote, sitting in the corner of your house or garage? What if all that you needed to have your own backyard compost, were things you already have at home, right now? That's what I thought too. Fantastic.

 So let's get started, shall we?

  Step 1: Find a large, plastic tote around the house that has a lid. Maybe in the basement or attic. If your storing something in it, find somewhere else to store those things. Better yet, save yourself the hassle. If it's been over a year since you've used whatever is in there, it's time to make a trip to the thrift store or add to your yard sale pile. After all, less is more.
 I found this tote in our basement (thus the dust). It wasn't serving any practical purpose down there, so what better job could it have than to hold our garden's compost. Perfect. 


 Step 2: Drill 8-10 holes in the bottom of your tote. If you want, ask your handy, dandy, awesomely generous brother to do it for you, in case you haven't ever used a drill before, like me. The cat can help too, of course.



 Step 3: Drill the same amount of holes in the lid.


   Step 4: Fill the bottom of the tote 1/8-1/4 of the way full with dry leaves or shredded newspaper.


  Step 5: Now add dirt until the tote is half full.


 Step 6: Next up...garbage. Yep. I started with sweet potato leftovers, an apple core, shredded newspaper, and coffee grounds with the filter (I was seriously waiting around to make the afternoon pot of coffee so I could use the grounds). There's plenty to learn about what exactly to put in your compost and what not to put in. But I'm just now learning the basics too, so I'd suggest doing some good ole' research. Lots of fun. No, really. It is. 

  
Step 7: Cover up your garbage scraps and cover with the lid.


 Step 8: Decide where to put your compost container. Find a discrete, shady spot, such as in a corner of your house or garage. And keep adding garbage!


 The instructions that I was following said to wait 2-3 months before using. I can't wait! 

 Have you found a tote yet? Don't hesitate to give it a try. It is so incredibly easy and quick to set up. If you already have a compost pile, are planning on building one, or know of more composting methods, I'd love to hear about it in the comments!   
 



 
  

3 comments :

  1. That's funny you posted this. I've been reading about compost for the past week and just bought soil yesterday to start one!

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    Replies
    1. Oh, really? That's awesome! Hope it goes well. =)

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  2. I really like this idea!

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