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Soil, Compost & Mulch

using kitchen scraps

16 years ago

Slimy, icky yuck that used to be kitchen scraps is now sitting in a plastic tub in my kitchen. About 1/2 in of liquid is visible in the tub. My great plan was to start a compost pile for my new lasagna garden beds. But as I didn't have a place for the pile, I just collected scraps in a plastic tub.

This weekend I started building the beds. I also scored some pallets to mark off a compost pile.

If I understand this correctly, many folks put the kitchen scraps directly in the lasagna beds. (I am completely new to this.)

SO.... is this slimy, yuck usable?

Should I: 1) mix it up with some leaves, etc in a proper compost pile?

2) Can I dump it into a lasagna bed? and cover it up thoroughly as I am not sure I can physically stand the stench.

3) or has it gone past the good bacteria point now that I can see liquid in the tub

Thanks

Lori

Comments (9)

melonhedd
16 years ago
Maybe make some soup? But seriously, it's probably teeming with wonderful bacteria - my lasagna beds or my compost pile would love the stuff.....
joepyeweed
16 years ago
I probably would mix it with some browns (a couple handfuls of shredded junk mail) just to curb the smell. And use it!

I would cover it well though...

I can't use kitchen scraps in lasagna because my dogs would root it out... just a word of caution for dog owners.
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I agree, the soil, compost, and mulch forum is the best place to learn how to improve one's garden soil cheaply. I've learned a lot there. I now make a lot more compost than I used to. My DH just made two more bins using free pallets today. That makes 5 bins I now have. I get free sawdust and horse manure from a local stable which we layer with grass clippings for compost. We've also asked for and gotten free fruit and veggie trimmings at a couple of local grocery stores to add to the compost. One thing I've done that some people don't always agree with is to just bury veggie kitchen scraps between perennials. I've never had a problem but some people think animals will dig it up. I live in a rural area and never had anything dig it up. The worms make short work of them and by the end of summer there's nothing left altho the soil is improved. If you feed the earthworms they will make lots of castings which are very good fertilizer. They also help loosen the soil as they tunnel thru. If you use used coffee grounds (UCG) as fertilizer make sure you scratch them into the soil a bit otherwise they can repel water. I've gotten a huge amount of free UCG from a local coffee shop and used it to fertilize my lawn and speed up decomposition of my compost. The worms like these also. Here is a link that might be useful: GW's Soil, Compost and Mulch forum
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How will you turn this pile with the landscape fabric , bricks and chicken wire in the way ? It is easier ( for me ) to build a more stable fence with a moveable opening simply to keep the dogs out of the pile and to let me get in to stir . I have a dog that likes to eat decomposed grass clippings - yuck ! I also have an armadillo that loves to rummage through the compost and constantly upended the chicken wire circle no matter how well I staked the wire down - even weighted the edges with bricks . The armadillo won every time . Now I have the shed as one side and left over chain link gates as the other three sides . I can swing one side open to get in and all the other critters stay out . With very little mixing , I have perfect compost in no time thanks to the heat and rains . I prefer compost directly on the ground with no floor . Much easier to manage and allows the earthworms easy access . Start off simple and go from there .
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gardenlen
16 years ago
g'day lori,

i would add it to the beds as you begin to create them.

also for me i add our rottable kitchen scraps all but daily to my beds by simply tucking it under the mulch and the worms etc.,. look after it from there. also measn that no valuable juice is wasted in the process it all goes to where it is needed.

len

Here is a link that might be useful: len's garden page
bcomplx
16 years ago
You seem to have a slop emergency! Dig a hole or two where you plan to make beds, take a deep breath so you won't have to inhale, and pour it in there. Then put the soil back in the holes. I did this last week with about 20 pounds of shriveling winter squash!

With your next bucket, place it at the bottom of a bed and go from there. As long as it's covered by 5 inches or so of soil or organic matter, it will be just fine.

Good luck! A few months from now, when your bin is warm and active, you'll be amazed at how much you've learned about rot.

Here is a link that might be useful: my website
annpat
16 years ago
I'm glad you're building a compost bin. You do realize that as a person now sworn to spread the good word of composting, Lori, that you are obliged to set a good example and not gross out guests to your home by your slack example?

Kitchen scraps should be dealt with daily. Otherwise guests to your home will say, "Oh. PU. Composting is a sickening, disgusting affair. Why would anyone want to compost? Lori must be deranged."

I'm just trying to spare you.
Lloyd
16 years ago
"Lori must be deranged."

Isn't being deranged a pre-requisite to becoming a compost enthusiast? LOL

Lloyd
llcljx
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks for the advice.

Tomorrow I work up the nerve to dig a hole and dump it. Of course I am not above bribing my husband.
dorisl
16 years ago
you just need a container with a lid on it! Those plastic coffee cans with the "aroma lock" really do lock in the, well, "aromas".
tey157
16 years ago
I dig a hole in my compost pile. Dump it in there and bury it.

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