Ideal Bite

Have you done your homework on composting before posting this information? The Happy Farmer Composter Site mentions using scraps of meat, bones, and dairy; anyone who knows anything about composting does NOT use those ingredients in a quality (and usable) compost. Only veggie food scraps, along with leaves, twigs, grass, non-seeding weeds, coffee grounds, tea bags/leaves, egg shells (rinsed), etc. should be in the compost. That is, if it ever intended to be used in one's garden. Even pooh from veggie-eating animals and birds adds necessary nutrients. But NEVER add anything that contains meat/protein.

Need a good primer - what do you do with the compost when you take it out of hte pot?? :)

I have been wanting to start composting for a while now. I thought I had to have a big space and really dont know what to do. IM LEARNING> I live in the middle of town and dont have a big yard. but everytime I throw something away that I know that I can compost I cringe. Do the composters come with instructions? or Can I get a book or......... Saving the world one piece of trash at a time. Mary JONes

Since you are thinking about composting, here's some helpful information! :)

There are a large number of people like me who don't have room to compost and/or room to put their compost. There desperately needs to be a way for people who live in apartments and other places without yards or space suitable for smelly composting or growing plants to send their kitchen scraps somewhere else.

For basic composting help, contact your local Extension office. Most state universities have agricultural extension offices, brochures, websites and Master Gardener Volunteers to give you FREE advice on subjects such as composting and home gardening.
When collecting your veggie and egg shell kitchen scraps, simply dump these into your composter DAILY. You DON'T need a fancy collection vessel- just something water-tight with a lid (large jar, plastic food container, etc.) Fruit fly eggs get waxed onto the fruit peels so even if you wash the fruit you can get flies if you keep the scraps around the kitchen a few days

I've been composting since last fall, and I've gotta say, it is NOT as easy as some people would have you believe. You should compost if you have a yard that is not entirely populated by native plants. It is especially helpful for annual flowers and vegetable gardens. If you don't have plants that need compost, why make it? If you decide to compost, do a little research on which way is best for you. You may be able to save a lot of money on a bin by making your own or just burying scraps in your yard. There is a lot of information available online, or check out a book at your local library. Some ways of composting are a lot more work than others. Finally, don't believe the hype about when your compost will be ready. The time estimates are usually for when you chop everything up that you add and have enough fast-decomposing stuff that your compost heats up. Some compost might not be ready for a year or longer. Good luck and have fun!

How about worm composters. My sister-in-law uses one and is very happy. I plan to get one soon.

I have a tiny garden and wrap vegetable scraps in newspaper and just add them to the top of the garden spot. No smell and so far things are growing well. GAElaine

Just figured this would be an appropriate place to post this... my company is giving away a Kitchen Scrap Keeper and a compost manual and reference guide. If anyone is interested, click on my name and check it out. Anyway, there are also products on Etsy that make it so you can actually WORM compost indoors. Smaller bins can fit on patios and really, they don't smell as bad as you would think, as long as you keep the various components balanced. Of course, that can be kind of tough. Great post!