A Composting How To

Last week we discussed how much we throw away without giving those carrot peels a second thought.  This week we are going to be pushing composting and how to get started.

First, we need to discuss compost bins.  We like to use commercial bins since only using the ground as your compost heap will attract all kinds of unwanted critters to your house to get those carrot peels, and we don’t want that.

When choosing a compost bin, remember that it’s best to keep your pile at around 1 cubic yard or more, this will help you in deciding which bin works best for your specific needs.

Once you decide on the perfect bin, you next need to fill it with the balanced mixture of GBOAWS, or green stuff, brown stuff, other stuff, air, water and soil.

Green stuff includes grass cutting, coffee grounds, tea leaves, plants and veggie plant remains.

Brown stuff is defined as dead plants, weeds, fall leaves, sawdust, cardboard, small animal bedding and old straw and hay.

Your other stuff is stuff like paper towels, torn-up cotton clothing, egg shells, hair leftover from your home haircuts and paper bags.  You see why it’s called other stuff now, don’t you?  Basically all the stuff you never gave a second thought.

Provide your container with air by turning the mixture regularly.

Your compost pile should be as damp as a sponge that has just been wrung out, in order to keep your pile moist you can add a lid to your bin if one did not come with your container.  If the pile seems a bit dry, just add water.

While not always necessary, a light sprinkling of soil can get your composting headed in the right direction.

Now that we’ve covered picking out your compost bin and what to place in it, tomorrow we will discuss what to do next.

Until then, keep it green!

Related posts:

1. A Composting How To, Part Two
2. San Francisco First Mandantory Composting Law City
3. What You’re Now Going To Do with Your Garbage!
4. Eco-Friendly Bamboo Soil Clock
5. Top Five Ways To Go Green In Your Life