Let's make sure the trees live!

I just thought about it recently after hubbie suggested to me on what to do with my very full tubs of compost. Originally I had planned to bring them to an organic farm that's crazy miles away. But he suggested that we take care of our back yard. Literally.

Living in an apartment means I have no where to efficiently utilise my precious compost. Whether fortunately or unfortunately, right in our back yard almost, there's a nastily turfed up piece of land that's been very recently replanted with trees. Hubbie and I have been very cross to find out that that land is actually forest reserve land, but that's another story. After all the damage that's done to it, the land is parched and the trees don't seem to be doing too well.

Today, armed with a spade, hat, and a curious 2 year old, I finally took my tub of compost out and spread it around two very scraggly trees.

Which made me think. All the exercise I hear about tree planting is all great. In fact, I've also been involved in it myself. However, I don't know about what happens to the tree after that. Really, did it survive? Did it dry out? Is it a glorious tree now? I have no idea.

Now, back to the trees right here in my 'back yard'. They weren't planted by me. But I wanna try and help them flourish.

Kills six birds with one stone. i) eliminate kitchen waste ii) get rid of compost iii) help trees grow iv) contribute to increasing comfort in my home area v) teach kid about nature vi) get a bit of good ol' exercise. Hmm, one more and I'm the like the gallant tailor. Ha, I wish.

There are at least another 20 trees more to go. Two down. Second tub ready in a week.

Nice.

Compost smell control

Steps towards smell control is in place. Seems to be working better but can definitely improve. 

The older batch has been given daily supplements of shredded newspaper in addition to stirring. On top of the pile, I've also placed a plastic container with perforated top cover half filled with baking soda. I intend to use the baking soda on my clean up day for scrubbing the toilet. 

This older batch still smells considerably. But it does seem to be reducing. Either that or my nose is acclimatizing. And the moisture is being absorbed by the paper. Perhaps I'm getting my ratio better. Mind you, because neither Hubbie nor I quite like the smells of the compost leacheate, I've opted for no holes at bottom of tub. Hence a very wet compost bin. This makes it more difficult to manage. But it also means we only have to deal with the smells when I stir. Not all day all night.

The newer batch is also given shredded newspaper. One whole sheet per little sieve container full of kitchen waste. And of course, the stirring. 

*fingers-crossed*

Smelly compost

Bleh... 

It's hard to do composting in an apartment. 

I've got a tub of 'garbage enzyme' compost in my drying area. That stank. I also don't like that it creates methane and ground level ozone. So, I won't be doing that anymore. 

Now back to old composting in a tub. This time without any drain holes (last time I did that, it stank all day all night, not only when I stirred it). But now with a whole lot more effort. Pouring out excess liquid every day. Stirring at least once a day if not twice. Still stinko. Sigh... Well, the first tub anyway. The second tub hasn't got a chance to start yet. 

Still experimenting... 

On the upside, our trips to the garbage bin has reduced to an average of only 1 a week. And only one relatively small bag - smaller than your normal plastic bag obtained from a super market. The medium sized one. Not one of those super large ones. This keeping in mind, we're a SOHO. And I usually cook twice a day. 

Towards ZERO waste and beyond!