The Dirt About Composting

Don’t throw out those eggshells! And toss in that wilted lettuce while you’re at it. Your garden needs those nutrients,and by creating your own compost you can finally compete with the Jones family for the largest tomato on the block.

A Recipe for Success

Adding compost to your garden can create beautifulsoil filled with the nutrients your plants have used up over the last growing season. Whether you start with a compost bin or a pile in the corner of your yard, there are some materials that should be included for the best results:

• Vegetable peelings
• Fruit waste
• Ripped-up egg cartons
• Grass clippings
• Leaves
• Crushed eggshells

Remember to give your compost a stir or spin regularly to help the microbes get the oxygen they need to break down your organic materials. By spring, your garden soil will be ready to grow a prize pumpkin.