Okay, so we built a compost bin made using free palettes, zip ties, burlap cloth and a few nails. Now, what — we’ve got to put “stuff” in it. I attended a workshop provided by the Forsyth Cooperative Extension on composting. I learned there is a science to composting. You don’t just throw stuff in a pile if you want it to decompose in a timely fashion. There is an appropriate amount of “green”, “brown”, “wet” and “dry” material that should be layered to promote the breakdown of the pile. Yes, it will break-down if you don’t layer the materials but it takes significantly longer. The particle size should be no larger than 2 inches. We have a lot of dead plant material that needs to be chipped. Have you ever wondered why mulch is “steamy” — heat is generate as the organic material breaks-down. Bugs and micro-organisms are a critical part of the process. It’s very interesting stuff.
One of the challenges we have at our garden site is a lack of variety. Our recycled materials are limited to primarily Bermuda grass which can’t be mixed-in with the compost, dead plants and some rotten vegetables. As a result, I asked LaKeith Stevenson, Food Service Director of Aramark Food Services at WSSU, if he would be willing to give us discarded coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are great for compost. It would be a win-win situation. It would further Aramark’s sustainability efforts and enrich our compost pile. LaKeith agreed to support us without hesitation. We pick up coffee grounds from Java City every Wednesday and Friday. I’m sure my neighbors think I’m a weirdo, but I also pick up leaves from the side of the road. Leaves are great for compost.
Oh, you want to know why we are composting. For those of you who are new to gardening — compost is natural free organic fertilizer. Given we have little to no budget this is important for us and the vitality of our garden. Additionally, we are able to recycle dead material out of the garden and it provides yet another great learning/teaching opportunity.
I created a similar compost bin at my home. I didn’t realize how much food I throw away due to my finacky toddlers. My compost pile is VERY well feed. I have a ceramic container on my counter that I purchased from Target for about $20 to gather food scraps. It is attractive, controls odor, and keeps me from having to walk out to the bin every day. It’s a great buy for anyone interested in composting at home. Compost is great not only for vegetable gardens, but also for flower beds and enriching the soil if you are planting new grass.
wssugarden 