Lessons in Composting

by Mandy

I vaguely remember the compost pile in the corner of the backyard of our childhood home. In fact, I didn't even really ever think about it until my husband, Brandon, brought in a bucket to throw in stuff for the compost, and then the image of my mom carrying a plate of leftovers across the backyard fluttered to my memory.

It's been fairly easy so far. Egg shells, banana peels, coffee grinds, and even some paper items have found their way into the bucket.

As did fruit flies.


Unfortunately.

You see, we keep this bucket inside, because it's easier to remember to compost when you have something nearby- say, by the trash can- to toss compostable stuff into. Apparently, we let stuff sit and rot in there for a bit too long. When I nudged the bucket on accident, little fruit flies fluttered out.

Before long, they had trekked throughout the house, even to the kids' bathroom which is the room furthest from the kitchen.

Whoops.

So, maybe we should have a lid for it, or at least dump it out on the compost pile before it attracts bugs.  Thankfully, it's fairly easy to set up a fruit fly trap.

On the bright side, the kids have really enjoyed composting. Keagan, age 3, has stopped draping banana peels all over the house (ick!).  He happily contributes to the compost bucket.  They've enjoyed learning about what can and what cannot be composted.

Best of all, we have significantly cut down the amount of garbage that makes it to the curb on trash day... something I'm actually a little giddy about.