Let's Talk Composting

Let’s talk composting!

I feed the soil & the soil feeds me.

More often than not, food waste is thought of as just that... waste. But it’s actually an incredibly precious resource which - when put back into the earth - can give us back so much more: healthy soil, healthy gardens & food, healthy lifestyles. By simply keeping methane-producing rotting food waste out of the landfill, you become a climate action superstar!

Some of you have mastered the creation of this "black gold" (hat's off to you!). And for the rest of you who may have tried and it didn’t quite work out, or who are nervous to even get started, we want to put it out there that composting is full of failed attempts, and no two batches are the same (part of the beauty of it). The best way to compost at home is to just give it a go and keep trying!

We also want to acknowledge that certain methods of composting may not fit your lifestyle. That's ok! There are SO many ways to do it. Here are a few::

1. No-Turn Composting - this is the least hands-on, and also takes the longest. It's an open-air style, where you basically just keep adding to an open pile (or perhaps in a bin). Great for yard waste, but may attract unwanted friends if you add food. Takes about a year to compost.

2. Compost Bins - probably the most common type, due to their ability to contain compost, keep pests and weather out, as well as add some heat, thus speeding up the process. This method needs turning, and a certain ratio of carbon (dry leaves, sticks, cardboard, newspaper, etc.) to nitrogen (your discarded food/yard waste) in order to keep it composting as opposed to stewing or stalling. Compost tumblers are a great option if you feel like you might not get to rotating your compost manually and prefer to spin a handle. Takes 3-6 months.

3. Bokashi - this is actually a fermentation system, using an anaerobic method of storing scraps in a sealed container and adding inoculated bran. Because this method does not require air, it is ideal for smaller spaces, as you pack everything into a bucket tight. Once full, the bucket sits sealed for a couple weeks, where it is becomes "pre-digested". Then, simply bury it in your garden beds, or add it to your compost bin. Bokashi makes it possible to compost challenging items some like citrus rinds & avocado pits.

4. Vermicomposting - this is the production of soil using the miraculous talents of worms. Not just any worm will do. Red Wigglers are the star of this show. You can create a DIY system or buy one already made. Both are often small enough to fit inside your home, making this a great option for those without a yard. This method has a bit of a learning curve, to ensure the well-being of your worms, but it's a speedy way to compost! (It also creates a fantastic fertilizer called "worm tea"... not appealing to us, but plants love it!) The length of time here varies depending on how many worms you have and how much you feed them.

5. Use a Composting Company - if the above just sounds like too much, contact someone who is passionate about the process. Locally, we have Earth Warriors Composting. They drop off a bucket once a week. You fill it, they pick it up & drop off a new clean one. Your scraps are kept from the landfill and turned into a beautiful resource for local farmers and gardeners.

This is just a brief summary of a few types of composting that may fit your lifestyle. There are many people online with pro tips, so if you find one that interests you, give it a search then give it a go!