One of the topics that I love to write about is composting. This is a very simple thing that can have a huge impact on the local landfills, and thus the environment. Landfills are generally sealed environments, so even organic matter can stay in them for decades without breaking down. In the last few years, waste management companies who create and maintain landfills have learned that if they seed them right, and watch them properly, they can siphon off the methane gas created from decomposition and the landfills can be mined later. Still, this is a not a practice used everywhere, and the easiest way we can slow our environmental impact is to watch what we throw away. Recycling, upcycling, bartering, trading and donating are all great ways to get rid of large portions of your household waste. Being less wasteful in the first place is another. But no matter what you do, there is generally at least some waste in every household that is organic matter that can be composted. Food scraps, leaves, lawn clippings, even paper goods can be composted. In return, you get an organic soil additive that will make your flowers produce better blooms and your gardens produce better produce.
Here are the basics that you should keep in mind when planning a compost program:
Meat can attract rodents. Small amounts of meat scraps are not that big of a deal, but if you have a lot of meat scraps in your home, it is best to keep them out of the compost, buy a puppy instead. Meat scraps also have the worst smell as they break down, and attract flies and other insects that can be bothersome.
Compost needs air, moisture and warmth. The micro organisms that break down organic matter into compost are living creatures. They need plenty of oxygen, and a moist place to survive. Smaller composts are not usually an issue in NE Ohio, as the hottest parts of the summer also come with plenty of humidity. Organic matter usually has plenty of water in it as well, but if you notice your compost drying out a little water could help speed it up. In colder parts of the country, compost breaks down much more slowly (if at all) in the winter. Just remember that whatever method you choose to compost that you allow plenty of air in the mix.
Balance nitrogen and carbon components. To operate at its most efficient, a compost needs fairly equal parts of nitrogen rich and carbon rich ingredients. Nitrogen rich items are things like food scraps, grass clippings, coffee grounds and other green stuffs. Carbon rich ingredients are dried up stuff, like dried up leaves, paper, cardboard, etc. If you have a large lot with lots of grass clippings, layer your clippings with paper from your shredder or things like pizza boxes and milk cartons, that you can’t recycle anyway. Try to keep the things that you put into your compost smallish in size. The bigger the pieces, the longer it will take to break down.
Now you know the basics, how do you begin? Composting can be as easy as starting a pile. While this is the cheapest way to go, piles are ugly, require tending, and have to be kept small or turned pretty often to keep the oxygen flowing. You can create your own bins from old pallets and chicken wire, old organization tubs, or my favorite-an old trash can. We have a couple of old cans that have cracked, sprouted holes, and lost wheels. Have you ever tried to get a garbage truck to take an old garbage can? Luckily they make excellent compost bins. If there are not enough holes or cracks, take out your handy drill and make a series of holes all around it to allow plenty of air to get inside. Smaller homes can use one or two small storage bins, larger families can use a series of garbage cans. I tend to use two. I fill one about halfway, then start filling the other. When the second is about halfway full, I dump the top of the first on top of the second and start with the first again. By the time that I have filled the other half way again, the top portion of the other can is now about ready for the garden. This simple system will allow you to use the most broken down compost and leave you with only rich additives in your garden. If you don’t have a lot to compost, just get two smaller bins or cans. When the second one is full, the first is likely broken down completely. The important thing is to make it about 3 foot cubed. Much more that this will mean more hard work and dumping and mixing. This size will allow for air flow and ease of tending. Trench composting may work for people with little waste, or for only highly organic material (like peelings and vegetable waste). Simply dig a fairly shallow trench in one area of the garden. As you fill it with compost, cover and let it decompose naturally. Other options include sophisticated systems that use worms to aid in decomposition or barrels that you can turn with a crank. This are all great, but can require more money to start out.
As I am big on trying to grow a lot of my own food this year, I have found that composting is a valuable asset to my gardening routine. It is basically free, organic fertilizer. Here are some links to other composting resources:
This week, I am looking forward to the Corn Festival at the Gordon Square Farmer’s Market. If you aren’t familiar, the Gordon Square Farmer’s Market was previously known as Ward 17 Market. It is every week, on Saturdays, at the Bethany Presbyterian Church, at 65th and Clinton. This week is the famed “Sweet Corn Festival!” There will be local, roasted, sweet corn and live music. If you have kids, this is the time to bring them down and talk about local foods with them! There will be games to keep them occupied, too! There will be a 50/50 raffle and of course all the regular vendors. Market hours are 9am – 1pm and the Sweet Corn Festival runs from 11am – 1pm. For more information, visit the 
So I get emails from a great site that I wanted to share with you. It is 
