A Guide to Inexpensive Composting 2by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 04 Apr 2008 04:16 AM
In the first part of this series on inexpensive composting, I talked about getting started with building your own easy compost bin. Now, here is part 2. Place the compost bin (your garbage can) in a convenient spot. Elevate the can using cinderblocks or scrap wood. A disposable or aluminum pie tin placed under the can will catch any drips (liquid compost). This liquid can also be used for your garden. Next, begin your compost bin with some layering. First layer garden soil on the bottom (about three inches). Next layer "browns," which consist of junk mail, newspaper, dead leaves, cardboard, wood chips, paper grocery bags, sawdust and straw. The third layer can consist of your "greens," which is much of your household discards, such as fruit peels, coffee grounds, grass clippings, vegetable peels, and even pet hair. You'll want to avoid anything that is fatty or has dairy in it, or you'll attract lots of animals. Plus, it won't smell very nice. Sprinkle the top of the can with some more garden soil and sprinkle the top with water. The compost should be damp but not soaked. Place the garbage can lid on top of your new compost can, and then you are all set to go. You can keep adding layers as you have the material to compost. Try to keep going in the layers of dirt, browns and greens, but it isn't absolutely necessary. Next up is part 3 where I'll talk about mixing the compost and whether or not you need to add worms. Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here. Related Articles: A Guide to Inexpensive Composting Using Egg Cartons in The Garden Frugal lessons from The Amish: Growing Food Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantfrugal tags User Comments StBridgit (322) 04 Apr 2008 11:31 AMThere is an even cheaper way to compost. Just pick a spot in your garden, preferably unobtrusive or out of view. Start layering your compost--browns and greens, and water it occasionally when you think about it. That's it! Compost pile, free and easy. You can turn it with a pitchfork to aerate it, just move it all over to a new "spot" next to the original. You can get a series of piles going and the oldest is the one you use on the garden. You can also add wood ash to the pile, if you burn firewood and have ash to dispose of. The wood ash also makes a great natural repellant for snails & slugs--just encircle problem beds with a line of wood ash. Community Tags compost, frugal, garden, growing food, thrifty Discuss this article
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Composting can be very frugal for at least two reasons. The first is that it provides you with a free, nutrient plant-food for your garden. The second reason is that it reduces the amount of garbage you produce. If you pay for your garbage by the bag or pound, there is an immediate savings there. And you'll also save on garbage bags, as well.
