When I first got into composting I wanted to throw everything I could find into our tumbler…and I did. I kept our “compost” moist, turned it regularly, and even added a compost accelerator. It was about that time that I learned that just because something is “food-waste” and came out of my kitchen doesn’t mean …
Every time I stick something strange and new in my compost pile, I watch it like a hawk for the next week. If things seem slow, I’m always worried that I messed up the ratios, acidity, microbiota, etc. At least, that used to be me. The truth of the matter is, it’s pretty hard to …
Did you know that grass clippings make up nearly 20% of the solid waste that collected in communities? And that’s a year round average, not just the summer months. In fact, during summer months the grass clippings of some communities can make up a staggering 50% of collected waste! Now, grass is obviously far more …
Parchment paper is the go-to tool for home bakers and individuals who routinely cooks things in their oven. It turns any pan or dish into a functioning non-stick surface and saves you the pain of having to clean it, especially if your food is greasy or sticks! We all know the feeling of having to …
Watching fires makes you feel alive. If you’re crazy. The thing is, fire is actually a life-giving force for many forests and ecosystems throughout the world. Why is that? It seems common knowledge that some seeds (such as those for pine trees) need fire to open and become viable. But is that the only reason? …
When you are creating your compost bin using any waste that you may have lying around you need to be careful what you throw in. Many times, you may be surprised to find that people are not always aware of how things need to be thrown away. Almost every piece of composting material needs to …
When you are composting everything in your house that can be broken down through natural processes you may be surprised when you hold some paper towels in your hand. These are things that can quickly cause your dustbin to fill up, making you use several trash bags. Most compost lovers quickly reach the stage where …
I hate husking corn. Every year my family would cut the corn from thousands of corn cobs to freeze for the winter. I was always astounded at the size of the “waste pile” we created to end up with 2-300 cups of corn. I would not longer be astounded. Since I took up composting I …
As a gardener and sustainability-minded individual it brings me grief to receive garbage in the form of Junk Mail. For many, figuring out the most environmentally-friendly manner to dispose of it can be a headache. While certain Junk Mail is doomed for the landfill, others can save the trip and be composted right at home. …
We all LOVE fruit. It’s the most primordial and instinctively delicious food there is. Like most people, I’ve been guilty of leaving it out on the counter one too many days, only to find it moldy and swarming with fruit flies! Honestly, I hate to admit it, but I’ve even had similar experiences with moldy …