The Compost Post

The day has finally come!  We have put together the compost tumbler that we purchased 2 years ago, and it is ready for use.  We wouldn't want to rush into a project like that!  Finally, just like the picture on the box, this is what it looks like,

Lifetime Model No. 60021

You may ask yourself, "Why should it take you two years to assemble this pleasant vessel?"

So, here's the major obstacle to this as well as any other major project at home (quoted from the owners manual):
"Before beginning assembly, two adults required to complete assembly"...
further, "only adults should set up the product.  Do not allow children in the set up area until assembly is complete."

Two whole years to actually find the one hour that it took us to finally put this together?  Need I say more?  Yes, actually...I need to say "THANK YOU!" to the neighbors for harboring my children long enough for me (us) to get this done!

Yay!  Okay, party's over.  So now what?  We found a spot in the corner of the yard, and we are now in search of compostable items in our daily lives.
So some easy research has found several sites that will lend a hand in guiding us through the home composting do's and don'ts.

http://eartheasy.com/grow_compost.html

http://www.epa.gov/compost/types.htm#back

Traditional composting includes soil as one of the layers. The news from the Colorado State University Extension http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07212.html tells us that you really shouldn't need to add soil to your compost bin or tumbler.  If you think about it, when you pull weeds, weeds are attached to soil as you pull them.  When you throw the weeds into the tumbler, the soil goes with.  The soil contains the microbes you need to inoculate the debris in your collection, thereby eliminating the need to add soil or inoculum to the compost collection.  When you add large amounts of soil, you increase the weight, which makes composting difficult and less efficient. Large amounts of soil also can suffocate microorganisms. Soilless composting is often a preferred and successful practice, and is easy to achieve at home with yard and kitchen waste.
Add water to the compost after every few layers of material, or find a tumbler that lets a little water in. For more healthy additions, click the links above to find your way.

It wasn't romantic, exactly, but it was a good way to spend an hour together anyway!  Now we just have to fill it, turn it, and use it!


Linking to:

Shine On with One Artsy Mama

Serenity Now

C.R.A.F.T.

Thrifty Decor Chick