Food scraps can be composted.
Compost is scraps that have been broken down by decay and turned into rich matter for the garden. Compost is often formed in a large pile in the yard. If you live in an apartment or want to have compost inside, smaller compost bins can be made out of many different items. Using a 10-gallon aquarium for your compost can make a good option. Other containers that work, if you do not have an aquarium, are cat litter buckets, old totes or garbage cans. The glass tank makes it fun to look inside and see what is happening. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Cut the nitrogen and carbon materials up into small pieces. The smaller they are, the faster they will decompose. Mix the materials together. You want a carbon to nitrogen ratios of 25-30 to 1. Some items already have both. Leaves have a ratio of about 60 to 1 and grass clippings 19 to 1.
2. Make a compost lasagna. Add 1 inch soil to the bottom of the tank. Add about 2 inches of the organic waste from step 1. Sprinkle with fertilizer if you do not have enough nitrogen matter. Cover with an inch of soil. Water enough to make the mixture like a damp sponge. You should be able to feel the moisture, but not squeeze any out.
3. Place the earth worms on top. You can get the worms from your garden or from a fish and tackle store. They will dig down into the lasagna and eat the waste matter between the two layers of soil.
4. Place the tank in a shaded location where it will remain at room temperature. It should not be in direct sun.
5. Mix the mixture weekly. This will aerate the compost, helping it to break down faster. You can also add more organic matter, if you want. Or just let it break down further.
6. Harvest. Be patient. It will take a while to break down. Your carbon to nitrogen ratio, how much you broke down the material, how often you turn the pile, if you continue to add matter, and how warm the pile gets will all be factors in how long it takes to break down. Once the mixture has become compost, you can harvest it and put it on your house plants, in your garden, or make compost tea.
Tags: break down, carbon nitrogen, inch soil, your garden
