We've all been hearing about how composting is the right thing to do and how it is so good for the environment. So where do we start? Well, composting can be a very simple process, or, with a little effort and imagination, it can become something more elaborate and you can even be giving away or trading compost with your neighbors. And you'll probably inspire others to do the same.
To begin with, some things compost pretty well and good choices for composting, and others are not. The things that are good for composting are basic organic matter like grass clippings, leaves, kitchen food waste, and garden waste. Some things that are not good for composting are meat, animal fats, dairy products or animal feces. These things do not compost well, and also tend to attract vermin like rats and raccoons.
So how do we start composting? The simplest thing you can do to get started is to choose a particular place in your yard, preferrably out of the way, and just start piling up the compost material. If you want to get a little more fancy you can dig a trench, or set up some kind of bin with boards or pallets if they happen to be handy. Every week or two you can dig into it with a pitchfork or even a shovel and lift the decaying organic material from the bottom parts of the pile and turn it so that it gets exposed to air. It also helps to have the right amount of moisture. You don't want it too wet, but if it is just a little damp to the touch then that facilitates feeding of the microorganisms that break down the organic matter.
If you want to get really elaborate you can either purchase or make a compost tumbler. These devices greatly simplify the composting process and save a lot of work. They also prevent vermin from getting into your compost pile, which is definitely a big plus. The conditions in a compost tumbler are much more conducive for making compost in the shortest time, sometimes as little as 3 weeks if it is done right.
So give it a try, and you might just find it to be much easier than you at first thought.
