Sunday, September 8, 2013

9/8/13 Compost Bins




WELCOME TO 
Learning to Live Sustainably

We can do it together

Mel's first adventure in composting!

 Last weekend I made black raspberry freezer jam for the first time.  This weekend I decided to finally start that compost bin I have been talking about for over a year.  I had my plans and my husband's blessing (which was important since I would be asking him to dig a hole in our backyard).  Today I just happened to be driving by the hardware store so I pulled in, asked if they sold metal trash cans, paid for two of them (I even remembered to get the lids, which are rather critical.), wrestled them into the backseat of my car, and happily drove home with my new treasures.  


Now for the fun part - drilling holes in my new metal can.  We decided to only do one today since we won't need the second on for awhile.  My husband was not impressed with my suggestion that we make the holes into a pattern of a happy face.  :)  So, 20 boring holes drilled in a circular pattern in the bottom and 20 more around the bottom third of the can later, we were ready to play in the dirt.  As Murphy's Law would dictate, there was a huge tree root right in the middle of the space we were digging.  And by "we were digging" I mean my husband was digging and I was waiting patiently to place the can in the hole.  After much root hacking and dirt throwing, the hole was finally big enough to bury half the can.  Just to add a little more fun to the project we decided to use some water from our rain barrel (whose name is "Rainy") to turn the dirt we piled around the can into mud.  
So, here is our fancy new compost bin, ready and waiting for some compost.  It looks a bit lonely right now, just surrounded by dirt (well, mud) but soon it will be joined by some fall plants.  At this point we realized I had neglected to get one crucial item at the hardware store - a bungee cord to keep critters from being able to pry the lid off and get to that tempting compost.  Oh well, it's not like I won't be driving by the hardware store on my way home from work tomorrow.  



If you want instructions on how to make your own compost bin, here is one suggestion: http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/make-a-compost-bin-zmaz76soztak.aspx There are lots of sites online where you can find info on compost bins, so find the one you like best. 

So now that our compost bin is ready, we need some stuff to put in it.  You may remember that bowl of seeds (or zombie brains) from last weekend's freezer jam adventure.  Well, I saved those in a container in the freezer so I would have something to compost if I ever got around to burying that can.  Smart thinking, huh?  And we added to the container as my Mother made dinner (It's sure nice having someone else around to cook occasionally - so my husband can get a break) and as we cleaned up from the delicious meal she had prepared.  Thanks, Mom.

Now I just need a kitchen collector to keep scraps in.  There are so many to choose from that I haven't been able to decide which type to get.  I guess I need to pick one, and soon. One Scrap (I mean step) at a time, my friends, one step at a time.

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Mel Farnsley & Mary Hutten, Owners
info@learningtolivesustainably.com
513-481-1914

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