BajaBlanca - 6-21-2012 at 02:42 PM
This compost is amazingly easy to make:
STEP 1
with chickenwire or any other wire, make a rounded shape into which a black garbage bag will fit into
STEP 2
cut small air holes into the bag - this was our subdelegado's task
STEP 3
insert the bag into the wire mesh
STEP 4
add dry kindling (this was my task) or cut up paper. this layer will be 45% of the space. add sawdust if you have some.
STEP 5
45% layer of organic food you have collected.
STEP 6
10% layer of dirt or sand or sawdust on top to keep flies, rodents etc. away.
You can put a cover on the whole container, if wanted.
Absolutely everything organic can go in - fish bones, avocado stones, fruit peels. BUT:
a) no eucalyptus or pineapple - due to a resin they have
b) try not to put too much citrus as it makes it acidic
c) putting everythingn in a blender really speeds up the process
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I hope you all enjoyed this. There are 2 more compost techniques still to follow.
Bob H - 6-21-2012 at 08:10 PM
Wow, Blanca, I love this idea! Thanks!!!
oladulce - 6-22-2012 at 07:02 AM
Do you need to keep the ratio of the greens and browns and dirt the same at all times to get the best results? For example, if you add food scraps for
several days do you need to balance it by adding some paper bags too?
Do you stir the mix, or leave it alone?
Do you put chickenwire on the bottom of your wire "barrel" like Bajajudy said she does? Would elevating it off ground improve air flow or is that
necessary?
We have some sawdust around depending on the project going on but I've been hesitant to apply any to compost pile because i don't know what kinds of
chemicals they put on "treated" lumber.
My composting attempts have resulted in dehydrated food particles mixed with local crappy soil. Web searches led me to sites where people LIVE to
compost - man some of the rantings make Nomad seem tame! I need a simple "Beginners Guide" and appreciate the pictures Blanca.
BajaBlanca - 6-22-2012 at 01:22 PM
Ihave put some of the questions to the workshop leader and am awaiting her answers but
1. no need to raise the bag since it has no holes in the bottom, so I don't see how raising it would make it breathe better. Then again - it ain't
gonna hurt anything either.
If the wood is treated, she told us NOT to use it. or any paper that has color on it.