General – Page 133 – Crazy About Compost

Ants in the Compost

I spent some time away from the compost pile to spend more time and attention on the Worm Inn Mega in the basement. My weekly food scrap deposit went to the worms, and it hasn't rained in week or two. Here come the ants! The presence of ants indicate a dry compost pile, or uncovered food deposits, or both. In my situation, I simply haven't had rain in a while and I haven't added any fresh material. Ants aren't necessarily bad for the pile though- they help break it down along with all the other critters working in there. Keep your pile moist, and you should be good to go here. Although I recommend making the least effort, I've been told that turning the pile will make them leave as…

Even More Worms in the Compost Pile?

At first, I just thought it was earthworms roaming around the outskirts of the pile... but then as time went on, the worms are just multiplying like crazy. I remember I added one small ball of red wigglers a few months ago, and now they're everywhere. I think it was to do with the compost toilet additions. Not mad... they must be helping the contents break down that much quicker and more effectively. I figured because the pile was so hot most of the time (120-140F), that it would be too intense for the worms and they'd just leave. I guess not!

Could Pooping in a Box Save the Developing World? (article)

Could Pooping in a Box Save the Developing World? (article) Wow! Really happy that Vice caught on to seriously important stuff. By Alexis K. Barnes Jun 3 2014 16 Tweet Share on Tumblr submit Print A Loveable Loo. Photo via Flickr user Max Baars Joe Jenkins has been saving his shit for 37 years. The 61-year-old thinks that to do otherwise—to flush the toilet after you’ve finished defecating into it—is a waste of perfectly good drinking water and valuable turds. Instead, you should do your business in a box to collect your household’s urine and poop, then add that waste to your compost bin and use it to fertilize your garden. Jenkins began writing a book on human composting in the early 90s as a master’s thesis at Pennsylvania’s…