COMPOSTING MADE EASY - A DEEPAVALI DAY PROJECT
Hub's at work so just me and the kids at home. Trying to finish off some articles for a client. Taking this quick break.
So, we did a quick compost box just now.My main reason for composting is to reduce waste. Ever since I quit full time job, each time I clear the fridge or wash the dishes, a lot of food waste gets thrown away just like that. So I figured the waste has got to be put to good use instead.
A meeting with PPSPPA (Perbadanan Pengurusan Sisa Pepejal & Permbersihan Awam) under the Ministry of Local Government, a while back while I was still working, opened my eyes to the possibility of composting. They used a very simple technique for doing it using a Japanese method called the TAKAKURA method. I did a search and found this, from one of the local council office. We were shown a demonstration of the method. A packet of nasi lemak san the banana leaf, of course went into the box.. I was amazed.
The Doctor who showed us the method also brought his own box from home that has been composted. The result was beautiful "black gold" ready to be used for your garden. According to PPSPPA website, 1/3 of the food we buy, goes to waste. This irks me and I thought I should do something about it. What I will do with the compost later is another story ;)). If you are interested to buy the compost box, do check them out here. PPSPPA are doing a wonderful job creating awareness for a more sustainable Malaysia. Eh! lain macam promote nampak...chewah!
So thinking about doing it and actually doing it is 2 different things. So I thought since I have some time today and my son is around to help me, I made my own... TADAAAA.... A COMPOST BOX!!!
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| IMRAN HELPING WITH GETTING THE STORAGE BOX DRILLED FOR BETTER AIR CIRCULATION OF THE COMPOST |
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| ZAIM WANTED TO HANDLE THE DRILL TOO...BOYS!! |
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| LAYERING, FIRST WITH ORGANIC SOIL. LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFULLY DRILLED BOX!! |
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| SOME BROWN STUFF I.E DRY LEAVES AND GRASS FROM SMALL LAWN WHICH ARE CARBON RICH |
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| ZAIM, HARD AT WORK |
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ADD NITROGEN RICH GREEN STUFF LIKE CUT GRASS AND WEEDS FROM THE LAWN TO ENSURE A NUTRIENT RICH COMPOST.
THE YELLOW STUFF (WHICH IS ALSO THE GREEN MATTER) YOU SEE ARE TOO MUSHY BANANAS WITH THE SKINS, WHICH DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO GET INTO MY BANANA PANCAKE
So what I will do on a daily basis or as and when I can remember, being the absent-minded person that I am, is to give the box a shake so that air gets circulated into the box and the food matter gets composted nicely. At the moment, when I opened the cover of the box, the soil smells of really ripe bananas...eeek!! I should try to create some bacteria using tempe (the TAKAKURA way to avoid any foul smell from the bin). And must remember to keep the soil moist, but nor soggy. Cover the bin so that the cats won't think it's their litter bin..hahahah!
From my reading, I should not put in dairy or meat to my bin to avoid mice etc.
And each time I add the green matter, I should balance them out with the brown matter. Brown could include shredded newspaper, cardboard box and dry leaves.
There are so many stuff you can read on this on the internet. But if you're lazy, just do it the way I did! Dummies guide to composting!!
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