New Project: Composting

I didn't realize it until I was much older, but my grandparents have been composting since...forever, I guess. They have a large square structure in their yard that, as a kid, I always wondered what it was (just never curious enough to actually ask). Now that I've learned exactly what it means to compost and why it is beneficial, I convinced my family that it was time to start our own.
I began with a post from a couple of my fellow ATLburbians, Bear and Honey. Their post on how to create a covered compost bin was super simple and easy to follow! So, I picked up a smallish sized trash can, had my dad drill lots of holes in the sides (for air circulation), top (for evaporation) and bottom (for water drainage) then began piling stuff in.

I started with some old plants that had long since died in the several snows we actually had this winter. Then continued to add vegetable trimmings, coffee grounds/filters, some old Valentine's flowers and wet leaves. Every few days or so I go out and roll the can around and give it a good shake so as to stir up the insides and get oxygen flowing. 

However...I have recently run into a problem. Yesterday, I opened the can to put in more wet leaves and found a white mold growing on some of the contents. At first I wasn't too worried, but decided to do some checking just in case. I found that most of the time mold grows due to too much moisture. While it is important to keep your compost pile damp, you don't want it soaking wet (hence the need for drainage holes). I've since taken the lid off to allow more air and, thus, more evaporation of water. 

While researching the mold, I also found this great site that lists 75 everyday items you didn't know you could compost. Some of the more surprising ones include cereal boxes torn into shreds, melted ice cream (what?!), dryer lint, paper towel/toilet paper rolls, feathers and hair from your hairbrush. The paper/cardboard is especially important in my case because they can help absorb some of the extra moisture. 

So far, I think composting is going pretty well. There isn't a terrible smell, we keep it in a closed can on our balcony porch so no animals mess with it and we've reduced the amount of trash we send off each week. When we finally have dirt, it will be nice to have a nutrient rich, FREE soil to use for flowers, vegetables and any other gardening we plan to do. 

If you're considering composting, but aren't into the DIY Search Amazon.com for pre-made composters!

Do you compost? Have any ideas for composting in small areas? Know of any other compostable materials we might not think about? COMMENT!