apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

There are free composting workshops all over LA county where discounts are offered for composting bins.
http://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/sg/ws_schedule.cfm

we've used both the biostack and the tumbler (and liked the tumbler better). but we also love the simplest thing -- putting vegetable matter directly into a hole dug in the garden with a shovel. we dig the hole (30 seconds), drop in kitchen peelings and cover it up. then dig another hole so everything's ready for next time. within a few months, there are earthworms crawling around and a natural softening of the area.

For anyone who is interested in having an apartment wormbin, I've been keeping one (following the instructions found here: http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/Easywormbin.htm) for years. It never smells or causes other problems - as long as you follow the guidelines you should be fine. Its a really easy and fun way to reduce your output of garbage, and deal with those tough foods that can't go down the disposal.

Also, unlike the composting supplies posted here, you can do the whole thing for 10 bucks (if you can get the worms for free).

Feline Pine is compostable kitty litter.

I found a tumbler that I like but wonder how composting works. Can I add new material continuously or do I fill it up and then wait for it to process?

I started in March but now it seems to attract clouds of flies what am I doing long?

hrhprincessfiona, are you burying the new compost under a layer of composted soil or something very rich in carbon (not nitrogen!)? In my apartment worm bin, I cover the compost with a piece of cardboard to discourage flies, and also bury the new compost under the old. If you don't have enough composted material to bury the new stuff under, you could use a layer of cardboard, newspaper, or something like corn husks.

I recently went the black trash can with a lid method and drilled tiny wholes all over the thing to let air in, but am finding it filled with little nats and such every time I go to empty into it. It's outside in my backyard, and it doesn't smell, but is this normal?

Also, can you add the waxy coated newspaper and junk mail to compost or is it only actual newspaper and paper? Does that make sense?

holes, not wholes, ooops!

hrhprincessfiona, try to keep it covered with some type of lid (if you aren't already) you might also add some grass clipping or yard waste to the bin, in my experience the more you vary the ingredients the less bugs and animals are interested in it.

Also I looked at the Urban Compost Tumbler from target, it is very tiny flimsy plastic. I would try making something yourself for the same amount of money.

Atlanta0jess and Rolen the Great, thanks for the tips. I do cover with newsprint but I'll try cardboard and I do have a lid.

Fiona, the other thing that just occurred to me is that you may simply be adding more food than your composter can handle. I know that this is the case for wormbins - adding too much is the number one reason that you'd get flies, I think. I don't know whether that's also true of conventional composting.

I love to make compost. It is my most favorite thing about gardening...how miraculous that veg & fruit scraps make beautiful rich soil. And I'm down to about one bag of garbage a month (with faithful metal & paper recycling)

Thumbs down for the NatureMill. It has broken on me three different ways, and I think I have managed two successful loads of compost in six months. Every other time requires me to scoop the compost out of the mixing chamber with my hands. Good times.