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I don’t know if it’s just me, but I’ve got to warm up to this composting process. Don’t get me wrong, I am 100% for composting, but it’s the logistics that I seem to have some issue with.

Giving Composting a Try

Last year I purchased a composting bincomposting binI was very excited about composting (and still am). After I put the bin together I placed it in the backyard. I read the little brochure that came with the kit and started composting.

To the compost bin, I added yard clippings and household wastes.  Afterwards, I mixed, stirred and added the appropriate amount of water. I was thrilled about doing my part to help the environment. Everything was going swimmingly until my 8-legged friends started to spend more time at my bin than I did. Additionally, I realized that I placed the bin in an inconvenient area of the yard.

More Composting Adjustments

In addition to my 8-legged friends, there was the issue of accumulating household waste in an indoor container to save for the composting bin (that stuff packs a mean punch when you take the lid off). I guess I had not thought out the process long enough, or maybe I wasn’t a dedicated as I thought I was. Composting is not for the feint of heart. You’ve got to have the right mindset.

Refusing to Give Up

Ashamed and upset up with my allowing my 8-legged friends to scare me away from my composting efforts, I decided to find out how could I get around it. Not wanting to give in to my immediate gratification upbringing and toss everything in the trash, I decided to analyze my logistical problems.  My problems, as I saw it, included but were not limited to:

  1. Educating my family on what is compostable (steak bones are not)
  2. Moving the compost bin to a more convenient location (I prefer the kitchen, but hubby nixed that idea).
  3. Accumulating household recyclable trash
  4. Those darned 8-legged friends.

As of this post, I have not resolved all of my issues. I did, however, move the bin a little closer to the house and now that winter is over, I’ve started to accumulate household waste trash truckagain (I’m still trying to determine which container is best). As far as the spiders go, I put diatomaceous earth all around the bin to kill those that are brave enough to challenge me. I’m having another go at it.

Alternative Composting Methods

I thought about using a worm-compost bin, but I’m not totally sold on that idea as yet.  Although, the thought of indoor composting sounds better each day. I’ll keep at this for a while. Who knows, maybe it’s like learning to write with your left hand (if you’re right-handed), the more you do it, the better you get.

May 25, 2012, Update:  I think I’ve found the method for recycling that is a hand in glove fit for me (and others like me).  It’s called bokashi.


About the author: Felicia has learned the hard way that health, whether good or bad, is a result of daily choices and habits. On this blog, Felicia shares what she’s learned and the healthier choices she now makes as a result of her new knowledge. She hopes to encourage others to experiment to find alternative solutions to nagging problems (she’s also is a bit of a tree hugger and likes to share ways to lighten the toxic burden on the environment).

in BLULOW, Composting