This weekend, Ava asked if we could “please, PLEASE” built a compost bin. I’m not entirely sure where she got this idea, but I think the blame might be placed squarely on PBS Kids (and certainly not the parents who let her watch it so much…)
Anyway, it sounded like a good project, so we found some directions for a small compost bin online. Fortunately, I hadn’t cleaned out the refrigerator since early March, so we had plenty of decomposing produce to give us a healthy head start. I think we need far more dry matter now–leaves or grass clippings as Liana suggested. We’re using shredded newspaper in the meantime.
Ava’s pretty excited about it—she’s saving scraps to add to it and reminding me that we need to shake it every day. Does anyone have any idea how long we’ll have to wait to have usable compost? Neither one of us are particularly patient.
Up next, also at Ava’s urging, a better recyling plan for the Smith household. Can’t wait.
Smith Family Weblog 
Posted by Jared (Josh's better looking older brother) on June 6, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I think it is great that not only does Ava know what a compost bin is, but lobbied to have one. Compost does take some time to completely break down. Mine sits for 3 years, (but don’t worry I’m dealing with a couple thousand pounds) The biggest thing is the temperature. You want it to be aprox 140 deg. Also put a little dirt in there to help out. Depending what you want to do with it. If your going to just put it into the soil, your don’t have to wait as long, if your going to use it as a potting soil supplement your should wait until it’s totally broken down. When it’s finished it will look like dark black dirt. You will also have to just let the first bin sit, while you start a new bin. Hope that helps and good on ya for having a compost bin. Cheers Jared