#home composting

[onthebirdroads]

ADHD hack for home composting: Bokashi buckets!

I care a lot about home composting (and it makes my regular bin waaaay less gross) but I find it really hard to empty my compost caddy regularly and it tends to get naaasty with flies and maggots and mould

Enter: ✨ the bokashi bucket ✨

A bokashi bucket uses anaerobic bacteria to ferment all kinds of food waste, before you bury it to finish the composting process. It's low-odour, can live in your kitchen, and, most importantly, doesn't need to be emptied often

All you have to do is put in your scraps, spray or sprinkle some starter culture, and then seal the lid tightly

Once you've filled your bucket, you leave it for two weeks (or longer) before either burying the contents or putting them in a traditional compost bin. During this time, you drain off the liquid every so often (and you can collect it to use as starter for your next bucket!)

It helps to have a second bucket so that you have one to use while the other is busy fermenting

I bought the 7L one from Urban Composter, but there are different ones out there and you can even make your own. Urban Composter also does a starter kit with two bins and some starter liquid. You can also find dried starter which has a similar texture to fine sawdust

You can also make your own starter culture quite easily. I'll put what I did under a read-more cause it's some real hyperfixation shit

For my starter culture I wanted to capture some Rhodopseudomonas palustris bacteria, which are pretty unique in that they can use four different modes of metabolism, two photosynthetic and two chemosynthetic. So I had to first get one kind of bacterial culture going based off something I knew would probably have the right bacteria, and then put it in an environment where only the bacteria that can use the other kind of metabolism will survive.

I used a two-pronged approach

For chemosynthesis, I made a fucked up sauerkraut by mincing together cabbage, salt, brown sugar, and raw brown rice, with some rain water, and putting it in a sealed jar in a dark place. (The cabbage and the brown rice contain the bacteria.) If you do this, remember to vent the jar every day to let out the built-up gases. It will smell funky and like fermentation.

For photosynthesis, I put some dirt and rain water in a sealed jar in the sun. This should smell inoffensive.

It's important to use rain water or distilled water, because you don't want the chlorine in your tap water killing your bacteria.

Then, once it looked like the chemosynthesis jar had eaten up all of the sugar (i.e. it had stopped producing so many bubbles) and the photosynthesis jar had some green visible, I swapped them around. I put the kraut jar in the sun, and added some sugar to the dirt jar and put it in a dark cupboard. From here, the dirt jar will start to smell funky too, as it starts to ferment the sugar.

Then, after they'd done some more bubbling away, I poured off some of the liquid and have been using it as my starter culture, to great success.

[naturallivinginsider]

Composting 101: Turning Waste into Fertile Gold

Discover the basics of composting and learn how to turn organic waste into nutrient-rich, fertile gold for a healthier garden. 

https://www.naturallivinginsider.com/ilof

[queerbeanenjoyer]

also I FINALLY harvested the compost from the lower tray! It was a lot more than I thought-- filled up the entire small bucket I had set aside for much more future compost.

I followed the instructions that came with my Worm Factory 360 as best I could.

I made sure not to feed them for a few days to have them go through what was left as much as possible.

I moved the lower bin to the top and stirred once an hour for 7 hours with the overhead garage light on the whole time. Though I found that worms were starting to pop up and explore in the last two. so it might only need like 5 hours instead.

I made up a new batch of substrate (coco coir, shredded paper, and minerals, though I should have added perlite as well, I'm realizing now) and added just a little bit of food scraps once I had collected all the compost.

I also left open the tap at the bottom to increase air flow and prevent it getting soggy. I hadn't done so originally since moving everything from my old bin which had been quite wet. Hopefully this will help moving forward.

[orgrevolution]

Waste Not, Grow More: The Benefits of Home Composting

In a world grappling with environmental challenges, the mantra "waste not, grow more" encapsulates the essence of home composting. This guide unfolds the myriad benefits of embracing this sustainable practice, inviting you to witness the transformative power of converting kitchen and garden waste into a valuable resource for both your plants and the planet.

Section 1: Closing the Loop on Kitchen Waste

Every kitchen generates waste, but what if that waste could come full circle, benefiting both you and the environment? Explore the concept of closing the loop on kitchen waste through home composting. Learn how your coffee grounds, fruit peels, and vegetable scraps can be transformed into a nutrient-rich elixir that nurtures your garden and reduces the burden on landfills.

Section 2: Fertile Soil, Healthy Plants

At the heart of home composting lies the promise of fertile soil and healthy plants. Dive into the benefits of incorporating homemade compost into your garden beds. From improved soil structure and water retention to enhanced nutrient availability, discover how composting elevates the health and vitality of your plants, fostering a lush and thriving landscape.

Section 3: Environmental Stewardship

Become a steward of the environment by embracing the waste-reducing power of home composting. Uncover the environmental benefits, such as reduced methane emissions from landfills, decreased reliance on chemical fertilizers, and a diminished carbon footprint. Learn how your commitment to composting contributes to a more sustainable and ecologically balanced world.

Section 4: Cost-Efficiency and Resource Conservation

Explore the financial advantages of home composting, as waste reduction translates into savings. Discover how creating your compost at home eliminates the need for store-bought fertilizers, reducing costs and minimizing the environmental impact associated with commercial production and packaging. Embrace resource conservation by turning what was once considered waste into a valuable commodity.

Section 5: Community Impact and Education

Home composting extends beyond personal benefits; it has the power to inspire communities toward sustainable living. Explore how sharing your composting journey can educate and engage others in environmentally conscious practices. By becoming a composting advocate, you contribute not only to your garden's growth but also to a broader culture of sustainability.

Conclusion:

"Waste Not, Grow More" is an ode to the transformative potential of home composting. As you embrace this eco-friendly practice, you not only witness the flourishing health of your garden but also play a vital role in conserving resources, reducing waste, and fostering a greener planet. Join the movement towards sustainable living, and let your commitment to "waste not, grow more" become a beacon for positive change in your community and beyond.

[petula-xx]

It's that time of the year again!!!!!

[the-habitat-ring]

I’m out weeding and I see that my plants are learning to communicate with AAC!

Yes, Nasturtium, you are alive! Good job! 😆

[openphrase123]

new four eyes chapter :) this one is set before the loops so like. i guess this one could also be read on its own for precanon funsies

[tomorrowsgardennc]

a plea to all seed companies

please, if you're still honestly and truly finding seed catalogs to be a great ROI, i beg you. print them on newsprint so we can compost them.

signed,

a fellow seed company

[bigcats-birds-and-books]

Books of 2024: November Wrap-Up.

Hi, y'all! I'm actually shocked that I managed to get through four (4) books this month, because it was NANO and I also WROTE A WHOLE BOOK!! The (written) book in its two notebooks is pictured beneath the pen and NaNo Earrings :)

All of these reads were NaNo-adjacent, somehow (I like to stack my reading with my writing project so all the Vibes are Correct)--either Space, or Haunted, or Fucked Up Fungi (I wrote a weird book this month)(I had a great time).

Photos and/or reviews linked:

A HALF-BUILT GARDEN - ★★★½ I enjoyed this! It was very slow and contemplative, and I was surprised by how long it took me to read (#NaNoProblems), but I'm glad I did, and Rhamnetin was a DELIGHT.

JUST LIKE HOME - ★★★★ Reread for me, holds up very well! Star rating unchanged from first time through. I actually do recommend rereading this one, knowing exactly when Daphne dies.

GRAVEYARD SHIFT - ★★★½ I enjoyed this one too! Short fun weird little insomnia romp. Love a good fucked up fungus and a motley POV crew.

THE NIGHT GUEST - ★★★★ This was DEEPLY fucked up and AMAZINGLY crafted horror/suspense, and I definitely had delayed nightmares about it. I also love a good spec fic in translation (this one's from Icelandic!). Cats are NOT safe, very graphically so, so proceed with caution if that's a warning you need.

Under the Cut: A Note About ~*★Stars★*~

Historically, I have been Very Bad™ about assigning things Star Ratings, because it's so Vibes Heavy for me and therefore Contingent Upon my Whims. (Example: I don't like that stars are Odd, because that makes three the midpoint and things are rarely so truly mid for me)(I have hacked my way around this with a ½). Here is, generally, how I conceptualize stars:

★ - This was Bad. I would actively recommend that you do NOT read this one, no redeeming qualities whatsoever, not worth the slog. Save Yourself, It's Too Late For Me. Book goes in the garbage (donate bin).

★★ - This was Not Good. I would not recommend it, but it wasn't a total waste or wash--something in here held my interest/kept my attention/sparked some joy. I will not be rereading this ever. Save Yourself (Or Join Me In Suffering, That Seems Like A Cool Bonding Activity).

★★★ - This was Good/Fine/Okay/Meh. I don't care about this enough to recommend it one way or another. Perfectly serviceable book, held my interest, I probably enjoyed myself (or at least didn't actively loathe the reading). I don't have especially strong feelings. You probably don't need to save yourself from this one--if it sounds like your jam, give it a shot! Just didn't resonate with me particularly powerfully. I probably won't reread this unless I'm after something in particular.

★★★½ - I liked this! I'll probably recommend it if I know it matches someone's vibes or specific requests, but I didn't commit to a star rating on Goodreads. More likely to reread, but not guaranteed.

★★★★ - I really enjoyed this!! I would recommend it (sometimes with caveats about content warnings or such--I tend to like weird fucked up funny shit, and I don't have many hard readerly NO's). Not a perfect book for me by any means, but Very Good. This is something I would reread! Join me!!

★★★★★ - I LOVED THE SHIT OUT OF THIS, IT REWIRED MY BRAIN, WILL RECOMMEND TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE AT THE SLIGHTEST PROVOCATION (content warning caveats still apply--see 4-star disclaimer). Excellent book, I'll reread it regularly, I'll buy copies for all my friends, I'll try to convince all of Booklr to read it, PLEASE join me!!

[sallytwo]

2025 vs 2023

another redrawww

[ejglamos]

https://ejglamos.etsy.com

#crafts #ejglamos #etsyshop #onlineshop #garden #outdoorliving #woodwork #coasters #woodcraft #wire #gardening #shooks #s-hooks #plants #horticulture #greenhouses #gardencenter #lawnand garden #patio #landscaping #outerspace #bitcoin #blockchain #fintech #ethereum #shib #landscapestaples #tomatocages #tomatosupports #crafting #planthangers #spiralplantsupports #crypto #bitcoin #ethereum #conservatories #arboretum #vegetables #flowers #luxury #seeds #nursuries #trees #planting #jardineria #plantas #flores #lasestacasdejardin #alambre #madera #soil #compost #tierra #antarctica #botanic #botanicalgardens #jardinbotanica #mulch #sand #space #spacefood #outerspacegardens #terraforming #walledgardens#hydroponics #planting #lawn #lawncare #baskethangers #grass #semillas #outdoors #nursery #balcony #food #mulch #grass #lawns #birds #birding #organicgardening #plantstakes #birdfeeder #aquaponics #nature

[halleehalfgallon]

it’s the day after halloween. you dress the babes in their best winter warms, feed the dog, stoke the fire. there is frost on every fern. your 3 year old excitedly asks you if you’ll come with him to bring a few gone-by brussel sprouts to the compost heap. your life is very good.

[inthecityofgoodabode]

November & December 2024: The Last Of The First & The First Of The Last

Frosted Echinacea:

I forgot to mention in my previous post that the gravy my queen made for the turkey & dressing was amazing. She used a base of homemade chicken broth & store-bought turkey broth and infused it with homegrown lemongrass & lemon thyme. You'd think that would make the gravy lemony but, instead, it just added a nice brightness:

Sunday's sweet potato harvest. This is what two roughly five gallon sized pots can produce so definitely a productive crop if you are growing in a small space like an apartment balcony. As a bonus, the leaves are edible (raw or sauteed like spinach) and, though they aren't prolific bloomers, their blossoms are similar to morning glories. This year's plants had beautiful pale purple flowers with deep purple veining. We planted Beauregard starts but, looking at the coloration of some of the tubers, I think we had some volunteers from previous years:

I drove around the neighborhood collecting bagged leaves on Friday & Saturday.

We are storing some to make leaf mold with. That will take time & moisture. I imagine by Spring time some of the bags will have broken down sufficiently:

The rest was spread around the front & back garden beds as cold weather protection that will eventually break down to amend the soil & build up the soil level. We're basically trying to emulate what trees do in the forest. It is a kind of regenerative agriculture for the home gardener:

This would have been a great shot (well, great to me anyway) if only that white-throated sparrow had cooperated. There was this strand of light just to the left of that shadow that would have made the white & yellow on its head shine but it either had its head turned the wrong way in the light or the right way but in the shadows. This was the best out of the bunch that I took. I still like the lines & colors in the photo:

[joannaliangart]

a life(,) you know(?) (2022) photography, series of 20

A series dedicated to intimacy. Found in community gardens, golden light, and human beings.

individual titles: golden ribbon tree decorated with new leaves || kaleidoscope home || a sweeter checklist garden shed side || autumn flowers and compost lending hands a pair of gardening glasses || a pair of gardening scissors neighbours || Fruit Tree Project's Sharing Farm garden || the Carriere garden Cindy and Linda's garden || for October || little wallflower let's go through the garden || secret passageway || to pull up a chair history of the garden bathtub || we will never stop looking at sunsets

---

My favourite photography series!! lending hands is still my absolute favourite. a pair of gardening glasses+a pair of gardening scissors I'm also p fond of C:

This was made for my second year photography class, I believe it was our first digital photography assignment, around the theme of "intimate life".

A lot of people tend to get confused about the title lol which is totally fair enough. It essentially can be read in 4 different ways with slightly different meanings, though they're all kinda about wishing for something better:

a life, you know? (as if saying to someone)

a life, you know (same as above but different inflection)

a life you know? (as if unsure about the familiarity of the life)

a life you know (a life that is familiar to you)

The whole time while taking the photos I was listening to the Rolodex album by the French Cassettes. Set the mood so perfectly I had such a beautiful time taking photos... Though it was getting a little trickier as the sun was setting haha. I went out to get that golden hour lighting, so there wasn't much time before it was getting too dark.

that last photo's title is inspired by one of my art history foundation year profs talking about photography and how there's so many photos of sunsets and we don't need anymore lol; it was in relation to some art piece that had a bunch of photos of sunsets I don't recall its title... Yeah but when I heard that I was like. bitch I've seen so many sunsets and I stop to look every single time. It's a little hard to see in the photo I think, but I took the photo when I spotted a parent and their kid tucked away together watching the sunset. So lovely and sweet...

+Here's me printing them with the school's printers lol. So slow... creepin

[petula-xx]

MAY 5 - 11 2024

Only a couple of sleeps left to go!!!!!

[shatterthefragments]

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