Thank you, Frederick County

In today’s “Minimizing your impact to the landfills” news, Frederick County, MD has expanded its curbside recycling program to cover the whole county.

Including those of us in the middle of nowhere.

Our shiny new bin just got delivered today.  AWESOME!

No more filling up our dinky little bin to overflowing, then schlepping it to the nearest recycling center, precariously piled cans and jars falling everywhere every time the road curves or we hit a bump.  No more deciding to put recyclables in the trash “just this once” because the bin is already full and no telling when it will get emptied again.

Thank you, Frederick County!

Compost Happens

Or not. As the case may be. Somehow, I have managed to fail at so basic a process as rot. I have two lovely black plastic bins, Soilsaver brand. They bask in the sun. But the compost never heats up. I move it from one bin to the other every other week or so to help aerate the maturing rot. And yet nothing happens.

Part of the problem: big bits. I haven't been the best at rendering the future soil into itty bitty pieces to make the process go faster.

But I think my compost has been too dry as well. When I was turning the pile today, it looked, well mummified! No kidding - I spent longer today watering my rotting vegetables than my newly started vegetables!