Composting adds free organic material to your garden which helps the soil retain and drain water and encourages healthier plants. Here is an easy way to compost.
- Dig a 2 foot hole in the back yard.
- Line the hole with a cheap plastic garbage can that has had the bottom cut out of it (a great way recycle an old one that you were going to have to toss out!) About 1/2 of the can should stick out of the hole when finished. You will keep the lid on this when not in use.
- Fill the compost bin layering "green" and "brown". GREENS are fruits/veggie scraps, egg shells, coffee grounds, grass clippings and the like. Avoid diseased plants. BROWNS are dry chopped leaves, finely chopped wood, shredded newspaper, straw and sawdust, etc.
- Sprinkle with water regularly during the growing season or leave the lid off when a rain is expected. You are trying to create a sponge like consistency.
- Turn weekly during the growing season
- The compost is ready to use when it no longer emits heat and is dry, brown and crumbly.
Please watch carefully for rodents which love composted material before it is ripe!
Source: excerpted from Harmony Elementary's A to Z recycling newsletter
By Diana from Prospect, KY
