How to start composting?

Liss Williamson
by Liss Williamson

How do I start composting

  4 answers
  • Hi Lisa -

    Here's a great 101-style article on getting started with composting and everything you ever need to know. Also how we DIY'ed building our compost bin. My Stepson built it for a Boy Scout merit badge. Hope this all helps and happy composting! Hugs, Holly

    https://pinkfortitude.com/composting/

    https://pinkfortitude.com/compost-bin/

  • MB Mama MB Mama on Oct 30, 2018

    Save a milk carton and throw your scraps in it. Then take bricks and make a pit in your back yard (Away from house) as it will smell when it decomposes. Coffee grounds and vegetables, egg shells work great to add protein, and nutrients to the materials.

    • See 1 previous
    • Dwp7470b Dwp7470b on Oct 31, 2018

      Exactly MB, Start small as Composting is not everyone's cup of tea, and

      as Stink is often a problem in small towns as suffice to excommunicate any neighbors who on .3 acre or less may complain of a tiny or large stink as it floats in their yard, (Especially if these do not assist your Finding of 3 old blenders and 12 Pallets to make a lid to keep that stink covered in the yard your own)

      To avoid disappointment, dry composting usually is best summed as MB did, which for all intents and purposes effects same as strict obedience to steps which initially are 3, but steps after you do those 3, aim toward the easing the tasks and expenses of: Converting old blenders or an In Sink Disposer to a liquefied waste compost system.


      Steps A to C: Realizing the downfalls to Dry or Heap Compost


      A. Before pitchforking and digging 750 cubic feet, Start Small enough to smell the individual stink from 1 cubic foot or less.

      B. When that stink stinks enough to designate an area, way way way far away from the house, your first batch is ready and primed enough to attract stray cats. Stray cats will inspire you to: Continue digging until you neither any longer smell the stink nor imagine earthworms holding their noses and fleeing.

      C. It is wise to Expect less than 75 cubic feet of soil additives per acre per 2 years (as year 1 is gains from the terraformed solids you already have, which aquire by digging a pit or trench) from:

      1. A Dispersed, Small but collectively measured area

      2. Deeper trenches to place 16 to cubic feet of biodegradables a week

      3. Leaves, Grasses, Flowers, Stems Twigs, Coffee Grounds, Charcoal Ashes, food wastes, etc. organics that always get smaller as they rot or devour by insects and worms.


      After those 3 steps are done, if you find dry composting not all too bad you will even more like: Liquefied Composting


      Steps D and E: Inspirations toward Liquefied Composting.


      D. Repeat A and B until you have enough stinky batches to inspire you enough by the stink to:

      1. Bury each stink at least 1.5 feet deep or Mix it with soil you reserve.

      2. Find 14 or more pallets to make and bury a dumpster-like container with a lid.

      E. Repeat A and B, sometimes for 3 years until the stink seems to suffice as an inspiration for

      i. Writing a seemingly Non-Fiction study titled: 'The primary composition of matter is: compressed stink'

      ii. Buying mugworms, to raise baits and go fishing for fertilizers like fish guts that stink much less than: cabbage, onions, rinds and banana peels.

      iii. Purchase Of either an Industrial Size and Grade Food Processor, Old Blender or other makeshiftings that Redirect an In Sink Disposer to a Bucket of Ground Food Wastes that you empty daily.


      And there you have it.

      E.iii is probably the most important part of any accelerated composting plan as the more liquid these biodegradables are, the more these absorb by the soil rather than: eat by insects, rats, squirrels, skunks, mice, strays and raccoons.

      Once you get to that Phase E.iii you realize that:


      Really? 7 Patio Fruit Trees each getting daily Nourishment should take 2 years?


      from that, you realize Liquid Compost saves you alot of Hassles that ordinarily involve not only with Patio Fruit Trees but also dealing with Dry Composting that does not involve with Wet Composting by Liquefecation of all biodegradable wastes.


      Of course assistive to that 'Wet Composting with Energy Consumptions' are Slight changes to your household routines and environments per Energy Conservation, to Balance the New Usages, such as:


      A. Installing Timers

      1. Turning off any Large Freezer you may have, twice daily for 40 minutes each does not harm food.

      2. Turning off your Refrigerator for 30 minutes daily does not harm food.

      3. Turning on/off your Furnace and/or Water Heater when not necessary and/or you are scheduled at work, reduces energy costs and also the frequencies of maintenances and cleaning and filters.

      4. Reducing Climate controls to 62° when you are out in the Winter, and 40° in the Summer.

      5. Concentrate Holiday Baking to Off-Peak Hours, after 5pm.

      6. Making Additional Ice, such as 6 trays, will always reduce the Energy Costs of any Foods Storage.


      B. Considering All Available Solar Solutions rarely needs more than 12 Solar Breakers...

      1. Although 120 gallon electric water heaters do not presently have 'solar equivalency to what any would consider: Efficiency' 3 qty 40 gallon electric water heaters (that consume 120VAC Each) or On demand tankless heaters do. Qualified electricians know how to attach these and 3 Solar Breakers.

      2. Understanding that few homes use All AC outlets in ALL Rooms 100% of the time, onsets only a necessity for Solar Startup Plans that secure: One outlet in each room and hallway (not a Kitchen) has Solar. You can always add more later to these 5 Solar Breakers.

      C. Focused Investment of Utilities Savings...

      1. Utilities Savings are not a Raise in Pay.

      2. Especially when focusing any investment of savings from A & B to a kitchen, Solar Capable 120VAC Appliances such as: the Microwave, Toaster Oven, Blender, Toaster, Air Fryer, And Coffee Maker each reduces Annual Energy Usages Dramatically more than the cost of 2 to 4 Solar Breakers.


      And though it seems I got slightly off topic...

      Facts are: Once you start using Wet Compost, rather than Dry Compost Heaps, you will need all this information about Energy Efficiency.

      To anyone Considerate to their neighbors this Desire to Convert to Wet Composting from Dry Composting, seldom takes longer than 30 days.

  • Joseph Glackin Joseph Glackin on Nov 01, 2018

    I have been composting for a dozen years and have NEVER had a "smell" problem. Are you composting ONLY vegetable matter? My in is in my back yrd/within 5' of my neighbor's drive. I have never had a complaint.

    NEVER "COMPOST" ANIMAL PRODUCTS.

    You will be smell free.