Compost holiday waste easily
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Gardeners may be interested in composting extra kitchen wastes after holiday meals with a 30 or 40-gallon plastic garbage bag utilizing a method called anaerobic composting.
Composting is a technique used to accelerate the natural decay process. The technique converts organic wastes to a mulch, which is used to fertilize and condition soil. Anaerobic composting is a method that is a bit different from others that have gained popularity through the years. In an anaerobic compost setup, the organic matter that is added decays slowly, because it is actually fermenting. There is no kind of heat buildup with this method, as there is no oxygen present.
Using a large black garbage bag to make anaerobic compost is very easy for the home gardener to accomplish. Take a black plastic bag and fill the bottom third with soil; this acts as a starting medium of necessary bacteria. Make a middle layer of kitchen and household scraps and a top layer of shredded newspaper. Tie up the bag tightly so that no air can get in after adding enough water to it so that the contents are evenly moist but not soggy. Roll the bag a few turns to disperse the moisture evenly and then place it in a heated basement or garage during the winter. After eight to 10 weeks have passed, the compost will be fermented, but uncured. Most gardeners will then mix the contents of the bag with some soil from their garden and let it sit another few weeks, which should be just in time for spring tillage.
Compostable food wastes include fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells and nutshells. Materials that should not be composted because they may cause odors, attract pests or create other nuisances include meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, foods containing animal fats and pet feces.
