Two Easy-to-Make Compost BinsNo matter how much you pay for a compost bin, breaking down organic waste requires four things: water, air, a few naturally occurring microbes and a fair amount of patience.
Vermicomposting - Indoor Worm RanchingVermicomposting (composting with worms) is easy, odorless, cheap, and great for the environment. It takes up little space, can be done year-round and no pets will love your garbage as unconditionally as the tiny Red Wiggler!
How do I make my own compost?How do I make my own compost? Composting doesn't have to be complicated. There are really no hard and fast rules, but here are some tips for getting started. Find a convenient place near your garden to start a pile.
Composting GrapesI am only a beginner and know very little about what I am doing. I have some flowers (petunias, verbena, and something else I can't identify) and a cherry tomato plant.
Coffee Can CompostingSave one of the new kinds of large plastic coffee cans to make a quick counter top compost bin! Label clearly so everyone knows what it is.
Using Leaves in the GardenWhen you rake your yard in fall, don't throw the leaves away in trash bags. Spread them over the garden spot and wet it down. When you till the yard in spring, till the leaves in.
Uses for Egg Shells?Uses for eggshells from the ThriftyFun community. I use finely crushed eggshells around seedlings that I transplant into my garden each spring. The shells keep snails, slugs and cut worms away.
What Not to Put In Compost PileLooking for advice on starting a compost? Here are some tips from the ThriftyFun community. Most people avoid meat and meat by-products because of the smell and the tendencies to attract flies which do nothing to help the compost process.
Putting Citrus Peels in Your Compost PileCan you put orange or grapefruit peels in your compost pile?
All About CompostingWhat is Compost? Compost is the end result of the decomposition of organic material, or waste. This occurs naturally in the bush, or a forest, by the accumulation of debris from plant and animal material; and provided there is moisture present, decomposition will occur.
Do-It-Yourself Trash Can CompostingComposting is an easy, economical way to keep nutrient-rich plant food at the ready. Not only is it good for your plants, if you pay by the can for waste removal, it can also be good for your garbage bill!
Keeping Your Compost Pile Trouble-FreeComposting is an easy, inexpensive way to reduce your yard and kitchen waste, while keeping your garden filled with nutrient-rich soil. Keep your compost pile neat and trouble-free, by preventing these common problems before they arise.
What To Do With Finished CompostThe recipe for making compost is simple. Start with some greens, add in as many browns, toss in a handful of dirt, and moisten with water. Stir occasionally and let cook for a few months to a few years, depending on the temperature of the pile.
Composting Seaweed?I do not know much about composting. I am a scuba diving instructor who lives in the Philippines. Each summer we get a lot of green algae (sea weed) wash up on our beach here and it is unsightly to our customers.
How to Make Compost TeaWhat do you get when you use a five gallon bucket as a tea pot, a burlap sack as a tea bag, two shovels of compost as tea leaves, and molasses as a sweetener? The answer is compost tea.
Composting Tools You Don't Need to BuyMany garden tools are designed to make the job faster and easier, but an alternative usually exists that can accomplish the same task for a lot less money. Here's a rundown of six handy composting tools - what they do, why they are helpful, and the cost-saving alternatives.
My Frugal Life: Composting IndoorsWith all new ideas, I make a point to weigh the amount my time that they will cost against the benefits. Here is just one thing that I have been trying around my house this year: I started an indoor composting worm bin, which I keep in our basement.
A Gardener's Guide to CompostingComposting recycles organic matter into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Although the finished product is a complex mixture of organic matter, bacteria and enzymes, the process of making compost isn't complex at all.
Plastic Storage Tub Worm BinMaking your own vermicomposting tub is fun and easy. It reduces waste that would otherwise go to the landfills. It is also very educational for both children and adults alike. You can make a worm compost bin out of a plastic moving tub, so why not start one today!
Worm Composting (Vermicomposting)There are many ways to compost. One of the most beneficial is vermicomposting or worm composting with a 'worm farm' composting tower. There are many prefab worm composters on the market.
Making a Wood Pallet Compost BinPallets are often available for free and can be used for many wood building projects. This is a page about making a wood pallet compost bin.
Curing Cow Manure?If the cow manure is fresh it is considered hot, as it is still releasing nitrogen and ammonia that can damage plant roots. To cure, it needs to be hot composted for 6 months. This is a page about curing cow manure.
How to Compost Shredded PaperOnce shredded, unglossy paper is a great addition to a compost pile, where moisture and worms will turn it into a rich soil addition. This is a page about how to compost shredded paper.
Free Houseplant SoilTechnically, this would be a 'medium' rather than soil, but some people haven't caught on to that word, yet. And too, if you have access to enough, it would be great for the garden as well as your houseplants.
Homemade Compost - The Natural Way To Green GardeningOur neighbors think we are very odd people when we save grass clippings, leaves, discarded fruit and veggie peels, and now shredded newspaper clippings.