Com(post)

My 2009 Food-to-do list included composting, something I always knew would be good to start practicing but I never really understood the how or the why, particularly in the city. It always seemed basic and yet super overwhelming at the same time. But my December trip to Hawaii (food adventures to follow, Chris, I promise!) inspired me to get over my malaise and make it happen. Particularly on the Big Island, where I spent a good 10 days, composting is super common. Well, it's only February and I'm actually getting close to checking it off my to-do list.

I started reading and asking around. I found a decent book on the topic, Composting, by Nicky Scott, which started to make certain things more clear, a few other things less clear. There are just a lot of options out there about which style of composting to take on, which type of bin you want... ehhhh.

I learned about an awesome group in Philly, Pedal Co-Op. They actually come to your house and pick up your compostables for you, in the event that you don't have the space or budget for a compost bin. I thought about doing it, but since I want to use the compost for my garden this summer, and I don't think you can get any compost back, I decided to keep doing it on my own.

And in the meantime, my housemates and I have been freezing our compostables: egg shells, coffee grounds (filters included), vegetable peelings, spoilt produce...

But I was still feeling overwhelmed by it all. Compost bins are large, and often unwieldy and expensive. I kinda just wanted someone to tell me which one to buy, make the decision for me. So I sought advice from the Clean and Green group in my neighborhood association. Andrew directed me to a really cool composting bin that seems perfect for city dwelling. It's the Envirocycle. It isn't huge, seems easy to turn, and critters can't get inside or icky smells outside.

And it arrives this week!

It retails at around $180, but I was able to find it for less on Amazon.

So I'll be posting more about this composting adventure, as well as my foray into gardening. I'm definitely starting to get the hang of this, so if you have any questions, ask away.

And advice is much appreciated, too!