10/19/09
1 month ago
So far I have a 50/50 mix of dead and live leaves along with some coffee grounds, fruit peels, tea bags, etc all in an oak barrel planter. I can’t wait to use it for my vegetable garden. (:
How to start a compost
It made me
proud. useful. 
"I wanted to stop being one of those people who always threw stuff out because after all, when you throw something out, where IS out?"
How I did it: Researched what kind of compost bin I wanted, worm or non worm, what kind of conditions you need, as a beginner, I cannot compost in winter yet, I am still learning the bare basics. Ordered my compost bin from compostbins.com and googled a coupon, so my $120 venture turned out to be $89. I felt even better about helping myself and the world for $89. I got it in Feb but didnt open it until 2 weeks ago and discovered we were missing hardware. Called compostbins.com and had hardware in 3 days. Put it together, well, P did that and it took about 10 minutes and put it outside in the sun. We got one with a lock top to keep critters out. Save our scraps, except meat product and dump it in. YAY!
Lessons & tips: Maybe by winter we can do what we need to to compost during cold freezing months. Im looking into that now. We even had some of our neighbors ask if they can add their scraps too! We were so happy we said of course. People who compost are reducing their waste by 30%! That alone was worth an $89 investment.
Be patient, look for a product that works for you. We rent for now and we still can do this. So dont undermine yourself or your impact.
Resources: Compostbins.com, google for finding a compostbins.com coupon that saved me some money. Internet to help me decide what kind of composting I want to do and myself for staying patient and determied during the cold months.
People doing this are also doing these things:
Entries
computerprokeith is starting to train for a marathon and doing CORE exercises.
On hold til spring
1 month ago
This goal is on hold til this Spring since Balt. Co. doesn’t have any bin sales until Spring and I can’t find an inexpensive bin for sale on the Internet.
picklethefish Today I am a Reinventing Tree Hugging Extrovert
finally getting started on this one...
6 months ago
About two months ago I suggested to my church that we have a composting system put into place. The idea was well received and since then I have been doing quite a bit of research on the subject to make sure we are ready to go in the near future. I believe getting this community one started will be just what I need to be inspired to start my own.
Smartest snail got an email from Jules and it made her day!
go figure
7 months ago
I opened the compost to assemble it and put it out this weekend and, go figure, there are parts missing. I called the company and they are sending them to me. Unreal. If I had checked earlier, like maybe the dead of winter when I got it, I could have had this put together and out by now.
Bright side: at least I took the steps to get it done and put out. Most people dont even think about composting. Yea me.
Smartest snail got an email from Jules and it made her day!
i know ive said this before
7 months ago
but for real Saturday (tomorrow), compost is going out. Its been sunny the last 4 days. We finally get to reduce our household waste by 35%.
Smartest snail got an email from Jules and it made her day!
weather
8 months ago
it is going to be sunny and in the 40-50’s for the next week. Operation build the compost and put it outside is now under way. I figure its better than operation kill the old guy who smokes in our hallway because its too cold to go outside. :/
Smartest snail got an email from Jules and it made her day!
bright sunshiny days
8 months ago
The last few days have been bright and sunshiny. As long as the sun is out, the compost can suck up the rays and start to break down food. I told Pace if it stays in the 40-50’s by the weekend, that’s 5 days, we can put it together and put it out. Come on Sun, I believe in you!
Smartest snail got an email from Jules and it made her day!
taunting me...
8 months ago
my compost is still in its box in the guest room next to the treadmill that doesnt work…taunting me. Looking at me accusingly. I cant help its Buffalo and snows 6 months of the year. Truly, it isnt my fault!
Smartest snail got an email from Jules and it made her day!
enough already
9 months ago
for three days its been in the 40’s. Today is 50, which I think is a big fat lie. When the wind blows, it goes right through you. So much, I wish I had worn my mittens today. Tomorrow, back to 20’s and snow. So, the compost sits. In a box. In the dining room. Unopened. What the crap. Every day I remember why I hated it here. All I want is to compost my trash. Is that so much to ask.
Smartest snail got an email from Jules and it made her day!
Untitled
9 months ago
we were going to put the compost out this weekend because it was in the 40’s and 50’s the last few days. Woke up yesterday after listening to the wind howl all night and the ground was covered in snow again.
Shame on you Tara. This is Buffalo. You know it snows til April.
