Composting

What can I say about compost that hasn't been said before? Not only is it one of the easiest ways to remove a significant portion of your waste stream from landfills, but it pays for itself in the form of nutrient-rich soil that can be used to grow more food.

I've had excellent luck with all types of composters, both the standard bin type and the rotating type. I currently have an Envirocycle, which is compact and sits atop a set of rollers that make turning it a breeze (assuming you're rocking some guns under your shirt).

What To Add

Anything plant-based! Vegetable and fruit peels, egg shells, coffee grounds, compostable take-out containers.

What NOT To Add

Most things animal based. Meat, fat, cat and dog poop, bones, and other things that won't break down cleanly should be thrown away instead.

Maintenance

A compost pile is a living ecosystem. Luckily for us, nature has some pretty cool technology at its disposal. Insects, fungi, and other organisms we rely on are largely self-correcting and will still decompose things under non-optimal conditions. If you want your compost fast, though, there are a few things you can do to speed it up.

Balance your nitrogen and carbon

You can get as technical as you like, but if you're throwing in nothing but fruits and vegetables, you're going to end up with a smelly pile that just sits there. Add bits of dry leaves, straw, or untreated cardboard—grocery bags and toilet paper tubes work well. Avoid waxed or treated cardboard, and be sure to remove any tape.

Let it breathe!

When a compost pile's oxygen content falls below 10%, some of the organisms switch over to anaerobic breakdown, producing methane (a greenhouse gas) and hydrogen sulfide (smells like rotten eggs). Turning your compost is the easiest way to add oxygen to large piles, and is especially important if you are composting a lot of nitrogen-rich materials like fresh grass clippings. Turning composters like the EnviroCycle take the hassle out of this chore.

Keep it growing!

My experience has been that once I fill my composter to a certain level, it hits a steady-state in which the microbes break down things as fast as I can add them. Remember, you've created an entire universe within your composter. Keep it happy!

Make Your Own Compost Tea

Almost everyone has an old aquarium air pump lying around (or can find one at the thrift shop for a buck...) that will make you some of the best soil tonic money can't buy.

Using Solid Compost

Using properly matured compost is the most recommended way of creating tea, as it should be the most packed with beneficial nutrients, organisms, and bacteria. You can add this straight to the soil or spray onto the plants leaves. The beneficial bacteria will crowd out parasites and harmful bacteria on the leaf surfaces.

Fill a bucket with water. If using tap water, let it sit overnight with the air bubbler to help remove the chlorine.
Fill an old sock with matured compost and tie off the top.
Put the sock in the bucket and let the air percolate for a day.
Use the brewed tea to water your plants. Add the compost in the sock back to your compost pile.

Using Liquid Compost Leachate

This method may or may not be beneficial for you, depending on how aerated your compost is. Plus, if you are collecting from compost that's actively being added to, there's always the chance of picking up harmful pathogens. It is recommended not to use this type of tea as a foliar spray.

Fill a 5 gallon bucket with roughly 4 gallons of water. If using tap water, let it sit overnight with the air bubbler to help remove the chlorine.
Add roughly a half gallon of fresh compost leachate. If using a draining composter like the Envirocycle, right after a rain is one of the best times to collect it. If adding water to the pile yourself, dechlorinate it first.
Let the air bubble for another day to breed all of the good organisms while killing off the bad ones.
Once you have a few gallons brewed, fill your watering can and use early in the morning or in the evening. Apply directly to the soil.