By now, most of you know that I live on a wildlife sanctuary and conservation center. And by now, most of you know that I am seriously into Earth changes and ways we can make our future better for all mankind. I combine these two passions into my personal lifestyle, and I have some tips that I use on my country property to help you wherever you live – urban or rural.
Compost!
…from ashes to ashes … the Earth naturally recycles EVERYTHING. NOTHING goes to waste on this magnificent planet. From amebas to insects to mammals, humans are merely one of a plethora of species living on Earth, and when you study the other “inhabitants” on our planet, you will learn that NONE of them waste anything.
The carcasses of animals go back into the Earth, restoring nutrients and minerals into the soil, plants decompose and reseed, trees create their own compost, and even forest fires have a place in the Cycle of Life.
Somewhere along our journey, humans have forgotten to return to the Earth what we have taken away. So today – start putting your waste back into the Earth’s natural cycles, and compost.
It’s easy to compost no matter where you live.
Country Composting
Obviously, it is easy to compost in the country. Pick a spot away from your house or barn so the critters will focus on the compost pile as opposed to “sheltered housing.” In the country, you don’t have to worry about compost bins or containers because the wild animals, insects, snakes, and birds will participate in the composting process. Allow them access to your organic food and grass wastes, and they will help decompose them and reseed them. Notice how many butterflies and bees a compost pile will attract, and encourage these pollinators into your garden.
Urban Composting
If you live in an urban housing development, composting is a little trickier because it can attract raccoons, possums, and skunks. This has a tendency to freak urbanites out, and at the end of the day, these wild little guys get run over and killed. So building or purchasing a composter that is contained with a lid is recommended.
Be picky when you design or buy a composter for your neighborhood backyard because you want to be able to turn your compost at least once a week. This will accelerate the decomposition process, and you can begin filling your flower beds or patchy bald spots in the grass sooner than later.
Throw It On The Lawn
Whether you live country or urban, shred or cut your fruits and vegetable wastes into small pieces and throw them onto your lawn. It doesn’t matter if you mow over them or not – their seeds and fibers will recycle, and they will participate in a healthy root matrix. Who knows, when the world ends one day, these roots may help reseed the planet.
Inner-City Composting
If you live in a downtown urban flat, composting is a great way to get to know your neighbors because you can start a garden and compost program on the top of your building or on your terrace. Again, you must have a container for your kitchen waste, and a place to take your compost when it’s ready to use.
Inner-city composting is really important, though. When programs like this are started in an apartment building community, people can actually start growing their own fruits and vegetables and recycle their waste at the same time. People get to know one another, and before you know it, you have access to organic foods, you are saving money, and you actually are giving something back for very little money.
Teaching Our Kids
Teaching kids to compost has HUGE positive outcomes. Just the act of composting teaches children about the Cycles of Nature. It teaches the differences between organic foods and manufactured, fake foods, like GMOS. Composting gives children something to do besides texting or watching TV. Composting creates a sense of accomplishment, gets the kids outside, and is cheap entertainment.
Our next generation is facing a manmade food crisis, and when they learn that this crisis really isn’t a crisis at all, the solutions will be right in front of these future leaders.
Composting is awesome – if you don’t think so, then ask yourself why not?
