Let's Talk Dirty - The Basics of Beginning Composting

their solid waste in my large pile. It only makes sense. However, just to be on the safe side, I do not use this compost on or near my food crops. In the past, I bought bagged compost for that purpose, but have recently purchased a pyramid composter for the patio, which now plays host mainly to kitchen scraps and shredded newspaper, and will remain pet poop-free.

For beginning composters, my advice is to stay away from pet feces for the time being. Purchase bagged composted cow manure instead, or even better, find a friend with a pet rabbit or chicken and more droppings than they can handle.

As the Worm Turns

Those of you without a yard or the space for a compost file, take heart. Help is here in form of your friendly neighborhood red wiggler!

The fancy word for this composting method is "vermiculture", but basically, it is indoor composting using worms. Amazingly, a single tiny redworm or Eisenia foetida is capable of consuming up to its own weight daily in organic waste. So if you can't compost, vermicompost!

This is a great project for children (especially in the dead of winter) and is not only fun, but educational too. Hopefully, it will teach kids to develop an early, lifelong respect for organics and the planet as a whole.

The building of a worm bin is somewhat specific, so I've compiled a couple Web links below that either sell the bins or discuss how to make your own.

In closing, don't miss out on a great opportunity to see Mother Nature at work and have an unending source of fantastic fertilizer - get thee to making a compost pile!

Reference Links

• Florida Backyard Composting Tutorial and Information Website - Includes a great chart on what to include and avoid when making your pile.
• Master Composter - Informative, exhaustive site about composting.
• Composters.com - Supplier of compost bins and accessories.
• The Adventures of Herman the Worm - Kids will love this site (also available on CD) that teachs about worms and their importance.
• The Basics of Worm Bin Composting - From our friends in Renton, WA.
  The copyright of the article Let's Talk Dirty - The Basics of Beginning Composting in Organic Gardens is owned by Tamara Galbraith. Permission to republish Let's Talk Dirty - The Basics of Beginning Composting in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

  Go To Page: 1 2 3 4

  Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic