Composting? Can you help me get started?

[Sue G in PA]

We want a garden this year. Our soil is a bit rocky and well, not very fertile. I want to try my hand at composting but don't know where to begin...except saving food scraps! Can somebody give me the basics? Thanks!

[amy g.]

Here is how I started. I just bought a metal trash can from the hardware store, and put a layer of dead leaves and a shovel full of dirt in the bottom. then I layered brown and green materials until it was full. I only turned it when I felt like it, left the lid off when it was sunny, wet it when it was dry. I got beautiful loose black compost for very little cost.

 

I just used some of this yesterday for pots with vegetables in them.

[Carrie12345]

I've read a lot of books and articles that I feel were way too complicated.

 

I just grab whatever available containers I have, make sure there are plenty of air/water holes, and throw my food scraps (no meat or diary) and yard scraps in.

 

I don't have much of a yard, so sometimes I add some paper or cardboard. I give it all a good stir whenever I remember to.

 

My compost doesn't compost as quickly as it might if I were following more rules, but it comes out dark and sweet smelling, and my garden seemed to love it last year!