Recently in composting Category

Last month I scored this plastic tote on freecycle, it's huge! The label on the side says it's a 33 gallon tote :) I was the first to respond to the freecycle post and 30 minutes later I brought it back home to two curious doggies!

I've been looking for a larger tote for a while so I could try vermicomposting. Drilled some holes in the sides and a couple in the bottom/lid and voila worm ranch ready to go! Added damp shredded newspaper, some partially decomposed compost from my old pile, and some food scraps then all that was required then was these little beauties! My red wigglers...

I got the worms for free from an online gardener friend Tom, I just paid the postage. He sent me lots of worms. Two of the packages above, just bursting with the little wiggly worms! I just put them into their new home with some dinner, covered them with more newspaper and popped the lid back on. Had to take a pic before I added the lid though, hope they are happy in their new home!

The tote is HUGE though, definiately need to get some more food scraps in there! We eat lots of veggies so shouldn't be too long before their next meal :) Fingers crossed for lots of lovely black gold, and that the worms are happy enough to reproduce :)

After my first foray into gardening last year, the Summer came to an end and after growing and eating my own food again I knew it was something I was going to continue on doing, and expand. Naturally wanting to do everything organically and be resourceful I wanted to try composting. Though I've grown food before I hadn't composted, until last year! In October there was a post on freecycle that someone was giving away some pallets, so we drove over and scored 3 pallets. That month I tied them together and just dumped my pile of leaves from that weekend in the middle and so a habit was born!

Since that day I've kept all my veggie peels, tea bags, paper scraps, old plants, leaves etc and put them on the pile, turning it, keeping it moist and sometimes neglecting it terribly. Have to say composting is the easiest hobby ever!

The downside is like most hobbies it's something that takes over after a while, and you want more! After composting for 6 months I can see that given the right environment I can create GREAT compost but I only have one bin which means I am constantly adding to it, never letting it "cook" uniformly. The other thing is the size, at 4' wide the pallets are big and the area they are in isn't great for turning the pile.

So it's time for a change! I'm considering plans for a new composting system, 2 bins at least, maybe vermicomposting too. As much as the location isn't that good anywhere else is out the question as in summer it would get way too dry without some shade so I'm kinda stuck with the location. Ideally I'd love to get a couple more pallets and do the 2 bin system for a bit, guess I'll keep a look out on freecycle and craigslist for pallets :)