Composting has been a goal of mine for a while, but I have just started the process recently.  The delay has given me a chance to do some research on how to get the best results, so I thought I’d share my process and progress. PicMonkey Collage

Last week I finally got the compost bin built using pallets, but I couldn’t put anything in it until I got it covered.  Our property borders the woods and we’ve got a dog, so finding a way to keep it covered was a must.

To keep things simple – my preferred way of doing things – I used the deer netting I bought for the veggie garden cages to cover the front 2/3 of the bin, and just stapled it to the pallet.  It hangs loose around the front so I can lift it up when I need to add yard scraps or turn it.  The back 1/3 of the top is completely open so I can toss in coffee grounds and tea bags from the deck.

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Next I added some bagged top soil so there was something to cover the compost and help it break down.  To start I tossed in some egg shells (dried in the fridge), and a corn stalk that wasn’t going to make it.  You can chop up your debris smaller, but I’m not in a rush.  The owner of our corner hardware store mentioned that putting food scraps in the bin attracted unwanted wildlife, like raccoons and rats.  Yuck.

After I had some material in the bin I used the mist setting on the hose to dampen the pile.  I tried to take a picture, but everything just looked blurry in the mist.

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Lastly, I gave the pile a good stir to break the egg shells and mix everything up.

And here’s the beautiful part.  Now I can just sit back and let nature do its thing!

Are you a composter?  Share your tips in the comments.

Composting is a great way to save money and take care of the earth. Here are the simple first steps you need to take to get started.

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