HOW TO COMPOST FOR BEGINNERS

There are two ways to compost: The right way and my way ;)
I don't compost with the intention of balancing nutrients; I compost primarily to keep our kitchen waste from ending up in the landfill. In so doing, I create rich nutrient dense soil for my garden, but alas, I've been a novice gardener since I started gardening many years ago. I haven't progressed in my skills or abilities, but I still love to prep the soil and plant seeds. Some grow, some don't, but I still do it.

With some exceptions, I've been composting for as long as I've been gardening, and it's worked every time. Let me walk you through the process and help you understand how awesomely quick and easy this can be...that is if you do it my way ;)

First, get yourself a compost pot. It can be fancy and pretty and sit on your counter. If can be a spare bowl you have. I use my nesting Tupperware plastic bowls I've had for years...like many many years. I put one on the counter when I'm cooking and toss kitchen scraps into the bowl. Then I put it in the freezer if I can't compost right away. If I think I'll compost in the next day or two (or three if it's winter and the compost isn't likely to get yucky on the counter and smell and decompose and attract flies), I'll leave the compost bowl on the counter and sometimes, I may put a lid on it. Usually, I pop it in the freezer because that way, I can compost less often.

When I'm ready to compost, I dig a hole big enough for the compost and large enough to have a lot of soil to cover the compost completely. I put all the kitchen scraps in the hole and cover it thoroughly. If you have a problem with rodents getting to your garden or compost, you can add extra soil and then top the soil with a large pot or tile.

You can also compost in a large pot, too, and this may keep the rodents from getting into the compost. When composting in a large pot, just know that it may rot before decomposing if you don't turn it once in a while. I've also composted it my EarthBoxes and in an IKEA trash bin with a lid. Nothing works as well as composting directly in the soil.

If you wish to turn the compost, you may do so. Just make sure that you cover it completely when you're done. You can also compost in the same hole often, even if the contents aren't completely decomposed. You also may need to wet the soil if it's especially dry. That keeps the worms happy. I haven't had a problem with the soil being too wet.

Once the soil is decomposed, you'll find that the soil tends to be richer and more moist than non composted soil.

Check out the blog post that accompanies this video
pepperandpine.com/homeschool-nature-study-botan…

Check out our Mason Herb Garden:
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