Composting

[Shane W]

How stinky is it? How many of you do it and what do you need to start. Yes I know Google is my friend, but it's not a real person.

[Gregory]

It's pretty simple. We made our bin, but didn't put it in enough constant sunlight. You take tall wood stakes and wrap them in chicken wire. It makes a cylinder where you dump your raw food leftovers. Add some water to break down the scraps, stir the pile, and let it bake in the sunlight. Soon, you'll get worms in it breaking down the food, and you can add the material to your garden.

[Shane W]

It's pretty simple. We made our bin, but didn't put it in enough constant sunlight. You take tall wood stakes and wrap them in chicken wire. It makes a cylinder where you dump your raw food leftovers. Add some water to break down the scraps, stir the pile, and let it bake in the sunlight. Soon, you'll get worms in it breaking down the food, and you can add the material to your garden.

How long does that cycle take? If I was to start one today for example, would I have enough for Autumn?

How stinky is it?

[Gregory]

How long does that cycle take? If I was to start one today for example, would I have enough for Autumn?

How stinky is it?

A good compost pile doesn't smell. We've had our outside, uncovered for three years, and you can't smell it. You would have enough for autumn depending on how hot it can become and how much you put in it. We make lots of salads and use lots of veggies and fruit. We add to our compost pile every three days or so.

[Shane W]

A good compost pile doesn't smell. We've had our outside, uncovered for three years, and you can't smell it. You would have enough for autumn depending on how hot it can become and how much you put in it. We make lots of salads and use lots of veggies and fruit. We add to our compost pile every three days or so.

That's good to know about stinky. Can I throw most any foods in there? Since I'm vegetarian I don't have to worry about bones nor meat products.

How big or small is your bin?

[Gregory]

That's good to know about stinky. Can I throw most any foods in there? Since I'm vegetarian I don't have to worry about bones nor meat products.

How big or small is your bin?

It's about four feet wide and five feet tall.

You can chuck anything in there except meat. THAT will stink. Eggshells can go in, for instance. My wife like to toss paper towels in there, but the birds snag them for nests, and they become very obvious to the local cats.

[Shane W]

It's about four feet wide and five feet tall.

You can chuck anything in there except meat. THAT will stink. Eggshells can go in, for instance. My wife like to toss paper towels in there, but the birds snag them for nests, and they become very obvious to the local cats.

One last thing. Is it next to the house or off a ways? I'm not sure my back yard is set-up for a "proper" positioning that doesn't piss off the neighbors.

[Gregory]

Oh, and coffee grounds are great for compost.

[Gregory]

One last thing. Is it next to the house or off a ways? I'm not sure my back yard is set-up for a "proper" positioning that doesn't piss off the neighbors.

It's about 30 feet from the house, next to our treeline. That's why it doesn't get enough sun. We really should move it so it can bake more. Again, it shouldn't smell. It might attract some flying bugs, but you can always smother the top layer in dirt.

[Shane W]

It's about 30 feet from the house, next to our treeline. That's why it doesn't get enough sun. We really should move it so it can bake more. Again, it shouldn't smell. It might attract some flying bugs, but you can always smother the top layer in dirt.

On more one last thing.

Did you add anything to get the process started besides water? I'm seeing some additives on Amazon, but I'm not sure how needed those are.