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Low maintenance suburban composting success!


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I thought I would share my extremely low-maintenance composting method in case any of you would like to try it out.

 

I live on a typical suburban lot in an older neighborhood. I have trees and landscaping along my back lot line, so I have some space without lawn. For the past few years, I have mowed/bagged the leaves that fall and created a giant pile in that back area. I don't touch it all winter except to put non-animal product food scraps on it.

 

In the spring, I begin bagging my grass clippings and adding it to the leaf pile. I use a pitchfork to mix it together every couple of mowings and otherwise leave it be. This past summer was very dry, so I watered the pile a couple of times during August. Somewhere in the middle of summer, I stop adding new "greens" to the pile and just let it do its thing. (Meanwhile, I pick a new spot and start dumping my grass clippings there for next year.) I also start turning the pile a little more frequently (maybe once/wk.)

 

This weekend, I've been spreading my nice, free, eco-friendly compost around my bushes. My method isn't fast, but it works very well. I've never had any problems with pests as long as I don't put any animal products in it.

 

Give it a try! It works so well, this past year I doubled the amount of compost I made.

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I thought I would share my extremely low-maintenance composting method in case any of you would like to try it out.

 

I live on a typical suburban lot in an older neighborhood. I have trees and landscaping along my back lot line, so I have some space without lawn. For the past few years, I have mowed/bagged the leaves that fall and created a giant pile in that back area. I don't touch it all winter except to put non-animal product food scraps on it.

 

In the spring, I begin bagging my grass clippings and adding it to the leaf pile. I use a pitchfork to mix it together every couple of mowings and otherwise leave it be. This past summer was very dry, so I watered the pile a couple of times during August. Somewhere in the middle of summer, I stop adding new "greens" to the pile and just let it do its thing. (Meanwhile, I pick a new spot and start dumping my grass clippings there for next year.) I also start turning the pile a little more frequently (maybe once/wk.)

 

This weekend, I've been spreading my nice, free, eco-friendly compost around my bushes. My method isn't fast, but it works very well. I've never had any problems with pests as long as I don't put any animal products in it.

 

Give it a try! It works so well, this past year I doubled the amount of compost I made.

 

Sounds like a great plan! I may have to try it, but I'm not sure I have the right backyard for it.

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