Every gardener worth his or her salt knows the importance of composting, and the “black gold” that is compost to the garden. But, inside every gardener is also 2 people; the ardent gardener that wants to compost everything possible, and the sensible gardener that says, “No way I am taking that stuff out right now.” Let us face facts here, there are times when the compost material needs to be carried out, but the snow is “knee-deep to a tall Indian,” it is raining cats and dogs for days, or you are right in the middle of a huge run of canning, etc. At these times, your sensible side keeps telling you no, but your gardener side keeps saying yes. Back and forth you argue, whether or not to carry the material out to the compost bin, and often, in the end your sensible side wins, and you simply grab something else to stuff compost material into. In the end, the gardener side wins, or perhaps it is the sensible side that wins because the compost buckets are raising an odor ruckus, or everything in sight is full and you are running out of room. So, you grudgingly get bundled up to clamor through the snow drift and blizzard, or don the raincoat and duck fins to carry it all out to the pile. There is a reasonable alternative to all of this hassle though. With just a few simple items, compost material can be held in temporary storage until it is more conducive to getting outside, or you get a break in the canning, etc. Two plastic, watertight trash cans and some dry leaves, will easily and nearly odor-free store many days’ worth of compost material until the weather moderates, or it is more convenient to carry the material to the compost bin. Now, this is NOT indoor composting. That is a completely different process, requires different equipment, and has the potential for some unpleasant odors indoors if you are not careful. Me personally, I do not want the hassle. But, for others, especially those who do a lot of indoor gardening in the winter, indoor composting makes sense, and is something they do not mind doing. For these people, I personally want them to go for it, learn how to compost indoors proper, and enjoy it. But, be advised that cutting corners on any of the processes and/or equipment for indoor composting, is an almost assured failure, and a real short trip to disappointment. But, those who do it properly, and are willing to devote the small amount of regular time required to do it properly, can find great rewards in the results. For temporary compost material storage, locate the trash cans in a convenient, but sheltered location that is near the back door. That makes it quick, easy, and possibly weather-free to carry out the compost materials often. Good locations are an unheated garage, back porch, or a protected back stoop. In one trash can, fill it with dry leaves. You do not necessarily need a trash can for the leaves. But, you will find it to be less messy, and being inside a “critter-proof” can, will keep unwanted guests away. In the second trash can, add 2-3 inches of dry leaves to the bottom of the can. Then add your compost material, and cover the material with 1-2 inches of leaves. The leaves will absorb and dissipate the moisture in the materials. Unless the materials are extremely wet, the leaves will also neutralize most of the odors. If the material added is very wet, or you do find some offensive odors developing, you can add a handful of agricultural lime to the top of the compost material to help neutralize the odors. Keep the lids on the cans and secured, and unwanted guests will be kept out, and any odors primarily inside. When the weather moderates, or the canning is through, etc., you can carry the can outside and dump it into the compost pile. As you fill the trash can with material to compost, keep checking it for weight, and keep it to a weight that is easy for you to handle. Now, winter composting is much less of a hassle, and instead of waddling through the snow, you can add another log to the fire, watch it snow, and wait for better weather.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 14:33:06 +0000
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