4/12/16
Third week complete.
To begin I simply cut the bottom out of a trashcan, in order to put our compost into it while still allowing the microbes in the soil to transfer through the material as it pleases. It’s important to remember that not everything can be composted (i.e. meat, bones, processed foods, dairy, and pet poop) but most other kitchen waste can be. My household drinks an otherworldly amount of coffee and uses at least 3 cartons of eggs a week. Being able to put the shells and coffee grounds into the compost instead of the trashcan has really reduced the amount of trash in the trashcan and the weight of the trash bags we contribute to the landfill.
It will take a few months for the compost to decompose and become the dark matter we know and love as fertilizer. This will be too late in the season for my garden, but the great thing abut compost is that if you don’t use it, it just continues to accumulate! Benefits to this are starting out next spring, and the next Earth Month, with a full stock of potent, ready-to-go compost.
Lastly, my final challenge is to plant my garden! Gardens are excellent for redirecting stormwater and I will be mindful of the chemicals/materials added to the garden over time to prevent potentially dangerous runoff. I don’t believe this challenge will be terribly difficult, as I’ve spent a good deal of time gardening in the past. I look forward to the experience and am hoping for good, clear weather this week to allow me to complete my goal.