Making and Using Compost
Organic gardeners know that compost is a necessary part of a healthy garden. There are different ways of making compost, and several ways to use it in the garden.
Which items are "greens" and which are "browns" when it comes to composting?
Whenever the subject of composting comes up, the typical advice is to mix "green" and "brown" materials in certain ratios for optimum decomposition. But what exactly does "green" and "brown" mean, and which materials work well in a compost pile? This article explains it all.
Whenever the subject of composting comes up, the typical advice is to mix "green" and "brown" materials in certain ratios for optimum decomposition. But what exactly does "green" and "brown" mean, and which materials work well in a compost pile? This article explains it all.
How to Set Up and Care for a Worm Bin
Here's what you need to know to set up and care for your own little herd of vermicomposting worms.
Here's what you need to know to set up and care for your own little herd of vermicomposting worms.
Why are my worms trying to escape from my vermicompost bin?
It can be a little alarming to open your worm bin and see your worms poised just inside the lid, looking for an escape route. Or, worse, you head to the bin and see dead worms around the bin--escapees that didn't get very far. Here's why they try to escape, and what you can do to keep your worms in their vermicompost bin.
It can be a little alarming to open your worm bin and see your worms poised just inside the lid, looking for an escape route. Or, worse, you head to the bin and see dead worms around the bin--escapees that didn't get very far. Here's why they try to escape, and what you can do to keep your worms in their vermicompost bin.
How Do I Get Rid of Fruit Flies in My Worm Bin?
One of the most common issues people have with their vermicompost bins is dealing with fruit flies. Here is how to prevent the problem in the first place.
One of the most common issues people have with their vermicompost bins is dealing with fruit flies. Here is how to prevent the problem in the first place.
Do You Need to Sterilize Vermicompost?
Is vermicompost safe to use around edible crops without sterilizing it first? Here's what you need to know about sterilizing vermicompost.
Is vermicompost safe to use around edible crops without sterilizing it first? Here's what you need to know about sterilizing vermicompost.
Saving and Storing Kitchen Scraps for Composting
Once you decide to start saving kitchen scraps for composting, you are presented with a new quandary: what do do with all of those scraps. Unless you don't mind running out the the compost pile every time you peel a banana or make a cup of tea, you'll need to find a way to store those scraps until you add them to your compost. Here are a few ideas.
Once you decide to start saving kitchen scraps for composting, you are presented with a new quandary: what do do with all of those scraps. Unless you don't mind running out the the compost pile every time you peel a banana or make a cup of tea, you'll need to find a way to store those scraps until you add them to your compost. Here are a few ideas.
Why You Should Compost in Trenches
Trench composting is easy, invisible, and possible in any size garden. This article will explain the method, as well as suggest a few ways to use trench composting in your own garden.
Trench composting is easy, invisible, and possible in any size garden. This article will explain the method, as well as suggest a few ways to use trench composting in your own garden.
Save Your Worms from Drowning
Here's what to do when your worm bin is too wet. Too much moisture in a worm bin is caused by several factors, from the types of food you put in to how much bedding you have provided your worms. Moisture problems are an easy fix. Here's how to deal with a wet worm bin.
Here's what to do when your worm bin is too wet. Too much moisture in a worm bin is caused by several factors, from the types of food you put in to how much bedding you have provided your worms. Moisture problems are an easy fix. Here's how to deal with a wet worm bin.
Home Composting Methods
So you want to compost, but you don't know where to start? Or you have limitations to deal with, such as a lack of space or neighbors that just don't understand. No matter what your composting needs are, there is a solution out there that will work for you. Here are several easy options for home composting.
So you want to compost, but you don't know where to start? Or you have limitations to deal with, such as a lack of space or neighbors that just don't understand. No matter what your composting needs are, there is a solution out there that will work for you. Here are several easy options for home composting.
Vermicomposting: How to Set Up a Worm Bin
This article shows, step by step, how to set up a vermicomposting, or worm, bin. It explains everything from selecting a bin size, to using the right types of worms and how to prepare the bedding.
This article shows, step by step, how to set up a vermicomposting, or worm, bin. It explains everything from selecting a bin size, to using the right types of worms and how to prepare the bedding.
How To Make a Compost Bin from a Plastic Storage Container
Here is a solution for anyone who wants to make compost, but doesn't have much space. You can make a simple compost bin out of a plastic storage container.
Here is a solution for anyone who wants to make compost, but doesn't have much space. You can make a simple compost bin out of a plastic storage container.
Make a Simple Compost Bin with Wire Fencing
You do not have to make elaborate structures to have a productive compost pile. This compost bin, made from wire fencing, is so easy to make, you'll be able to make a new one whenever you have a surplus of materials to compost.
You do not have to make elaborate structures to have a productive compost pile. This compost bin, made from wire fencing, is so easy to make, you'll be able to make a new one whenever you have a surplus of materials to compost.
Composting in Small Spaces
If you don't have the space for a compost pile, you can still put those kitchen scraps and yard waste to use in a trash can composter.
If you don't have the space for a compost pile, you can still put those kitchen scraps and yard waste to use in a trash can composter.
Making and Using Leaf Mold
Leaf mold is a free, easy to make soil amendment. Here are tips and instructions for how to make it, as well as suggestions for how to use it in your garden.
Leaf mold is a free, easy to make soil amendment. Here are tips and instructions for how to make it, as well as suggestions for how to use it in your garden.
Composting Myths: The Truth Behind Common Composting Myths
There are many misconceptions about composting, from the notion that compost piles stink to the idea that any kind of kitchen waste is safe to compost. This article from About.com Green Living guide Courtney Curtis breaks these myths, providing the truth about composting.
There are many misconceptions about composting, from the notion that compost piles stink to the idea that any kind of kitchen waste is safe to compost. This article from About.com Green Living guide Courtney Curtis breaks these myths, providing the truth about composting.
Video: How To Compost
This video explains the basics of composting and touches on a couple of different compost methods.
This video explains the basics of composting and touches on a couple of different compost methods.