Is composting this easy?...

[JennaBoBenna]

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[Reesh]

Hi Jenna--

Unfortunately, composting is a little more complex than that. But it's not too much harder! The key with composting (and you can truly compost anything as long as your space is aerated) is to combine your food waste products with some kind of filler. Bark mulch works well. The filler allows for aeration and encourages decomposition! It's also important to 'stir' your compost periodically with some kind of pitch fork. Mixing it also aerates your compostables.

I've seen people use chicken wire and steaks to make a compost 'bucket'. They are careful to keep animals off of it with extra fencing around it, but mixing the food with lots of leaf litter and bark mulch makes the food sort of disappear into it.

The last school I worked at used a giant garage bay. We used bark mulch and mixed it regularly with manure from the farm as well. It was a happy stink, to be sure.

Anyway, that's all I've got. Good luck!

[RawKnitster]

I started a bin in the back yard years ago and then got lazy about it. Now we have compost service as part of our garbage service. Everything that will break down (even things you wouldn't consider putting in your home composter) goes into the yard waste container and gets picked up once a week by Waste Management Services. It really irritates me that the majority of my neighbors don't want to be bothered by having to keep it in a seperate bag in the kitchen. I suppose it is like recyclying, resistance is futile. If San Jose doesn't provide this service yet, it's only a matter of time.

[Ilse W.]

The City of San Jose has a program where you get a compost bin or a worm composter really cheap. You just have to attend a class on how to make compost. Call the City Information line or check online.

[Raw Joy]

I've heard of this but haven't yet done it

Get a big plastic trash can with a lid that attaches really well. Drill small holes throughout (for the air to get in). Put in your dead leaves, pine needles, grass mowings, etc. Start throwing your food scraps in.

Two or three days a week, put the can on its side and roll it around to mix everything up. When you're ready to put the compost in the garden, just roll the trash can to it.

Since I have a bad back that's recently flaired up again, I thought I'd give this a try.

[Veganforlife]

Also, check in your neighborhood. Some are now creating "community" composting sites.

[michigan roman]

I've heard of this but haven't yet done it

Get a big plastic trash can with a lid that attaches really well. Drill small holes throughout (for the air to get in). Put in your dead leaves, pine needles, grass mowings, etc. Start throwing your food scraps in.

Two or three days a week, put the can on its side and roll it around to mix everything up. When you're ready to put the compost in the garden, just roll the trash can to it.

Since I have a bad back that's recently flaired up again, I thought I'd give this a try.

what rawjoy said here . make sure you find a type garbage can that the lid stays on really tight . and you dont drill holes in lid or within say 8" from the ground because you dont want water / moisture in can because itll cause mold / odor . and drill say half inch size holes . search ' garbage can composters ' .

on ground method you just make layer after layer of leaves / straw / grass / seaweed / old decomposing tree bark / etc . then turn it over as often as can with a wide tined pitch fork . i sprinkle pellitized lime on my compostt pile because i use alot of leaves and theyre acidic , and the lime is alkaline so nuetralizes the acidity . which is needed or the soil gets to acidic which is bad for most garden plants .

and in summer many times i hose down pile and cover with a black tarp (black draws more sun , or holds in more sun ?) and let the pile ' bake ' because the heat causes the plants to decompose quicker . its all very simple stuff . check out www.motherearthnews.com for good info .

[spicyfull]

I have composted before but now I just put My peels in the Vita-Mix and pour it around or mix it in the soil around the Plant.

[JennaBoBenna]

The City of San Jose has a program where you get a compost bin or a worm composter really cheap. You just have to attend a class on how to make compost. Call the City Information line or check online.

wow! I never would have thought of that! I went to the website, and there happens to be a workshop this weekend! The bins are pretty cheap, but they seem too big for my "yard", ie my apartment patio :p

Thanks for the advice guys! I will take it all in and someday(soon!) I will start composting! I really hate just throwing away food scraps!

[JCB44]

I have a tumbling barrel type composter that was given to me. You have to put in equal green and brown material and then turn the barrel once a day. In about 2 weeks you have good compost. I don't have the web site but search "Tumbling composters" There are several brands

[Reesh]

Yes, tumbling composters are amazing. They're fast and efficient-- unforunately on the expensive side of composters. The mixing and aeration is fantastic. I wish I had a place to put one :( No yard.