Halloween and Helping the Earth

I have been making compost since the mid nineties and I have to tell you that there is something very awarding and rich when you feel that "Black Gold". Of course everyone has their own methods of making compost and I am always eager to learn more. Here is just a simple method I have used a lot to start my compost pile.

Currently I do not have a large piece of land where I can make several compost piles; I went out and purchased one of those extra large rubbermate storage bins. I mainly grow my organic vegetables in containers so by having at least a small amount of compost just makes me a happy trooper.

-Keep a small container in your kitchen for kitchen scraps, like vegetable peels, egg shells anything that is not "Meat" related. (No bones, meat or fats or animal waste)
-Cut grass, the greenery off of your organic vegetables from your garden, dried leaves is excellent. Not only will these items make great compost but dried leaves make great mulch for your garden beds

When you compost, you are allowing nature to take its course. It is very similar to the cycle of life, you are taking something that is decayed and it is producing new life. Creating soil for your garden is the same process. With time, water, air and the sun, layers of humus is produced and plants love it!

Take a little time with your children before Halloween and rake up some leaves and put them in the Halloween decorative bags. After Halloween empty the bags of leaves into a pile and add your kitchen scraps, weeds, paper, grass clippings, etc. The main thing to watch is your carbon-nitrogen ratio- Most materials such as sawdust, straw and dead leaves have a high count of carbon, whereas fresh plant material, blood meal, manure have high nitrogen count. I have read that you can add lime or calcium and it will keep the compost from souring and discourages flies.

The object is to cook these piles naturally. Spray with water, cover and every so often take a garden rake and stir those piles! I strongly advise to research and create your own method of composting. My way works for me and my organic vegetables.

Gather composting materials
Place in a pile
Water
Cover
Stir every so often

When you start seeing results you are going to be amazed! When you start using compost on your plants, you will never want to go without it!