DIY Compost Bin

I've been thinking about starting a compost bin for ages, but never got around to it. Then yesterday two of the blogs I read regularly posted different DIY (that's do-it-yourself) composters. On the same day! How's that for a sign? So, I decided it had to be done. I read about how others had made theirs (here: http://www.howdoesshe.com/would-i-be-over-sharing-if-i-told-you-i-have-worms and here: http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/08/a-pallet-able-compost-post/#comments ) and went for it. Since we have such a small yard and a relatively small amount of waste, I decided we would go the worm route (technical term: vermicomposting).

I started with two large rubbermaid containers that we had just sitting around (one was being used for dog food, but that was easily switched to a different container). You can use two buckets or any size container, but they need to be the same so that one fits snugly into the other, and it needs a tight fitting lid. Then I got out Dave's drill (I used a power tool! I think it was a first for me.) and made holes along the bottom of one container (this will be where the compost is collected), every few inches, for drainage purposes. I flipped this same container over, and drilled holes into the sides, starting about six inches up, for ventilation. Worms need to breathe too! Plus, this will help with any potential unpleasant smells. I put the container with the holes inside of the container without holes (this will be where the run-off, or "worm tea" is collected. That's the good stuff that you want to use as fertilizer for your plants.). Ta-da!

There was something on my lens, but it's a good shot of Owen modeling our two compost containers and also shows off some of our new fence and grass!

Owen adds holes for drainage

And more holes for ventilation

 Next step was to start the compost process. I added a few inches worth of newspaper shreds and dry leaves. Then I poured in some potting soil that we had lying around (any dirt or sand will work). Then I tossed in some old coffee grounds (probably the only time I've ever been happy that Dave had not cleaned the filter). Apparently worms looove coffee grounds- and if you use paper filters (ours is reusable), you can toss those right in to the compost too. I might stop by Starbucks later in the week and ask for extra coffee grounds, I've heard they love to give them away!

I tossed in a banana peel and a moldy bell pepper to get things started!

Now all we need are worms! I'm still in the process of tracking some down. They can easily be found online and shipped to you, but the prices seem pretty outrageous (like $30 plus shipping for a 1/2 lb. of worms). So I'm checking out craigslist to see if anyone is selling some locally, and my next attempt would be to call a fishing store. Apparently 'red wrigglers' are the best worms for compost, so that's what I'm looking for!

So, now we have a compost bin. I don't feel quite so guilty when I realize I let a pepper/onion/lettuce whatever go bad in the fridge, because at least now it's being used for something. But it's also great for food scraps, eggshells, dryer lint, grass clippings, leaves, and so on. Did you know the average household produces 200 lbs. of kitchen waste per year? Ew! So, I figure if you can cut down on that and keep it out of the landfills, you should! You are also rewarded with super rich, chemical free fertilizer (you can use both the "worm tea" that drains into the bottom container, or you can skip the worms, leave the compost for 2-3 months (just turn it occassionally) and use the soil when it comes time to plant.).

And yes, I was worried about smell and about it attracting pests (raccoons seem to especially like to visit us) but I've read that as long as you keep meat and dairy products out of the bin, there shouldn't be a problem. The rubbermaid bins have a tight-fitting lid, too, so that should help contain any potential odors. Wish us luck on our eco-adventure!

Hello Again!

Well, I haven't written a new blog in almost a year. Oops. We have been busy and also pretty boring, believe it or not! Of course Owen is still growing and getting cuter every day. He is twenty-one months old. Running, jumping, climbing, dancing...just constantly moving. He's trying to talk but still isn't very verbal, although he understands everything we say (sometimes too much- we've had to teach him "Earmuffs!"). Dave recently uploaded a bunch of new videos, you can check them out here: http://www.youtube.com/user/dkj3ca#g/u  I posted my favorite recent picture and video right below.

Look at how big he is! And yes, he picks out his own clothes! (Helmet, rash guard, swim trunks, and galoshes. Ready for anything!)

Also check out the videos of Andy diving at the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Boston this past week (same link). Dave flew out to Boston to surprise Andy and had a super fun time. They built a platform off the top of the Institute of Contemporary Art just for this event, so the divers could dive right into the Boston Harbor. The platforms were 26 meters high (that's 8 stories!). Insane! 25,000 people came out to watch the event. Luckily Dave was a VIP so he got to watch from a special barge, which is also where the judges sat, and was able to talk to Andy in between dives. The last night there was a special "athletes dinner" (which Dave also weasled his way into) for the competitors, judges, and a few famous divers from the past- including Greg Louganis (I had no idea who he was, but a quick google search remedied that- he's a big deal!), who Dave was able to meet  (says he's a really great guy).

By the way, he finished 9th overall. In the world. Yeeahhh...pretty awesome.

I am taking this semester off from my classes (did you know I'm almost finished with a bachelor's degree in family and consumer science? I've been taking classes online through the University of Utah) so I will have more time both to blog and to get into some fun projects. Dave and I are crunching down on our budget and trying to save, save, save for our big move next year (location: TBD). So, I'm having to get creative and find resourceful and thrifty entertainment for both Owen and myself, and I will blog about some of my fun projects!

 While Dave was in Boston over the weekend, we finally had some real Summer weather, and Owen and I took full advantage of it. Our sod was laid on Friday so we finally have a yard- grass, fenced in and everything! (Our housing co-op has been under construction for over a year now, and that included tearing up the yards. So nice to have it over with.) So Saturday, Owen and I watered the grass/ played in the sprinkler and pulled some weeds and swept up the patio. Then we headed over to Grimston Park in the west end of New West, which has a really nice, big playground, lots of sand, and a wading pool (only 6 inches deep). Owen wouldn't get in the water (too cold!) but had a great time with everything else. After a lunch and nap, we drove down to Spanish Banks on the far side of Vancouver, a beautiful beach! We joined our neighbors Jenn and Mackenzie. Owen still wouldn't go in the water, but had a great time burying Mack in the sand and chasing after balls. We had so much fun that I decided to go back to the beach on Sunday (this time we went to Wreck Beach, yes it's clothing optional, but it's also the most fantastic view in Vancouver. You have to hike through a forest to get down there but it's totally worth it.) until it was time to pick up Dave at the airport. This was the first year we've really gone to the beach in Vancouver (Dave always prefers the lakes- less crowded, more fishing I guess) and I think we were really missing out!

Beach Bum