COMPOST!

I went home this past weekend and took some pictures of the compost in our backyard.

We have had it for about 6 years now. It’s a circle of thick, black, heavy plastic used to keep tree roots from spreading out underground and about 5 feet in diameter. Whenever the garden needs new soil, we “sift” the compost using a large wooden frame with chicken wire. The frame is placed over a wheelbarrow and then you shovel the compost onto the top, shake the frame back and forth, and the good, rich compost sifts through. The larger leftover chunks are put back into the bin for further decomposition. Usually, my dad does the sifting, but I now have a better appreciation for compost because of this class!! Compost piles are pretty sensitive. For example, you need to regulate the amount of water-—not too much or it will mold, but too little and the worms will die! Also, larger, moister items like grapefruit halves must be cut up. We put our kitchen scraps (no meat!) and rabbit’s droppings in to the compost, too. You can’t use a large shovel to turn and mix the compost because its sharp edge will cut too many worms in half!! Instead, use a pitchfork.
Enjoy!

The covered compost bin.