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. 
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.
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.
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.
Linked up at Frugal Friday
