Y’all, I get super lazy this time of year (and apparently
take on a nice, southern drawl). In Cincinnati the weather is hot as blue
blazes and only welcoming if I am walking straight to a swimming hole. I will
admit, I do not want to work
in the garden or in my compost bin. I do not want to exercise, unless you count
lifting an icy sweet tea to
my lips.
But what is a composter to do? Work needs gettin’ done. My compost bin is especially wet and heavy with all of the watermelon rinds and fresh fruit and veggie scraps I have added over the last month. That bin needs air.
It is time to aerate my compost bin.
But what is a composter to do? Work needs gettin’ done. My compost bin is especially wet and heavy with all of the watermelon rinds and fresh fruit and veggie scraps I have added over the last month. That bin needs air.
It is time to aerate my compost bin.
I have discovered my summer power hour. Right after the sun
comes up, before everything is hot as Hades. Before the mosquitos wake up.
Power hour is where it's at.
I have always been impressed with farmers who wake up super
early and get more accomplished before breakfast than I do typically all day. Or those amazing people out running before the sun
comes up with
motivation I never imagined I could possess. But now I get it.
Just do it.
When those first sunrays start peeking through the
curtains, get out of bed before your brain convinces you to roll back over.
Swallow a drink of juice or a cup of coffee, put on your shoes, grab your
aerator, pitch fork or shovel, and walk to
your compost bin. It will take less than 10 minutes to plunge that aerator in
and send vital air to the microorganisms breaking down your compost. They will
whoop with delight and start eating your banana peels, watermelon rinds, and
old plants twice as fast.
Then you can sashay back
to your house with the satisfaction that your microorganisms will spend the rest of the day working on your compost while you lounge by the pool.
Stay cool out there, composters!
This cow and I have a lot in common. |
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ReplyDeleteGerri's original comment: I have been composting for a long time--won't say how long-- although not "professionally," so I never turn my pile. It is off the ground about six inches and I've used cement blocks turned sideways for the sides of the compost. Kitchen scraps go in different buckets.
DeleteJust curious about what kind of an aerator you used.
Thanks for posting, Gerry
Gerri- somehow I accidently deleted your comment. So sorry, I am working to restore it. In the meantime I use a wingdigger compost turner. If your pile is elevated, you may have such good air circulation that you have not needed further aeration.
ReplyDelete