Yesterday, we had a really nice play date with two fellow moms and their kids. At snack time, the kids were eating some tangerines, and as one of the moms peeled the orange skin, she asked if we composted. We don’t.
Composting is something that I have been thinking about doing ever since we moved here about a year ago, but to tell the truth, I was a little intimidated by it. I didn’t really know where to start with composting, and I wasn’t sure that I wanted rotting garbage in our around my home. But, it is time that I learned about it. Composting can be very frugal for at least two reasons. The first is that it provides you with a free, nutrient plant-food for your garden. The second reason is that it reduces the amount of garbage you produce. If you pay for your garbage by the bag or pound, there is an immediate savings there. And you’ll also save on garbage bags, as well.
I recently saw instructions for making your own composting bin using a standard 55-gallon garbage can. I want to thank the website http://www.thriftyfun.com for the idea that got me started. I’m changed things slightly, but the basic premise is theirs. You can use a plastic can or a galvanized metal can. These cans are pretty inexpensive to purchase, but you can also take advantage of a can that has a tear or crack in it, if it isn’t too badly damaged.
You want to create holes in the can in a few areas all around it to allow oxygen in to the compost. An easy way to do this is with a drill, but a hammer and nail will work fine, too. Also create at least four holes in the bottom of the can for drainage.
Next up: part two of our inexpensive composting.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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