Living Off The Grid

If there is one thing every (sane) gardener can agree on, it is the importance of compost. But where we all differ is on the details. Gardeners have different composting philosophies on things like…

- Which composter is best?
- Should I build my own composter or buy one?
- Do you rotate compost or just let it sit in the same spot until it’s done?
- Do you need to use compost activator?
- Is worm composting better than “regular” composting?
- What is the proper ratio of food to yard waste to dry base material?
- Do compost piles or bins get hot enough to kill weed seeds?
- What’s the best way to keep indoor vermiculture bins from smelling?
- Can I compost meat or dairy?

Suddenly something as simple as letting an apple core decay doesn’t seem so simple. Really, it IS simple (all organic matter will compost if you leave it alone long enough) but there are still just as many ways to go about composting as there are things to compost. So I decided to provide a list of some places you can visit to get the dirt on making dirt:

• Composting 101: Your A-Z Guide to Compost
• Consumer Search: Compost Bin Reviews
• The Daily Green: Composting with Leaves
• Redworm Composting: Buying worms and vermicomposting
• Buying a composter: Gaiam’s composting section
• Compare Prices: Find the best price for composters on Amazon.com
• Ohio State University: Composting at Home Fact Sheet
• Composting for Kids: From the Texas Agricultural Extension Service
• Cornell University: Guide to composting
• University of Missouri Extension Office: Making and Using Compost
• Composting Toilets: Our own discussion on this fun topic
• Make Your Own Compost Bin: Another Living Off Grid resource
• More Composting Tips: By The Daily Green

That should be enough homework to keep you busy for awhile! Feel free to share your favorite resources below.