RECYCLE ROTTEN TOMATOES INTO FRESH TOMATOES AGAIN

How much does a bag of good compost cost at your gardener's? We never understood why one should spend money buying dirt. But good soil is important for the growth and quality of your produce. Imagine you can turn the rotten tomatoes you are going to throw away into new fresh tomatoes again!

1. Recycle or buy a plastic pail/bin with a tight fitting lid about 24 inches tall or taller. Your pail needs a lid to keep critters out and to keep soil moist.
2. With a drill, drill 8 to 10 small holes in the bottom of your container for aeration purposes. If necessary, drill a few holes on the sides/walls of the bin.
3. Place your compost bin in a shady area away from your home in the back yard. If you live in an apartment or have no backyard you can place your bin on the patio. Be sure your compost is not in full sun or your compost will dry out.
4. Place some shredded newspaper or dry leaves on the bottom of your compost bin, fill about 1/8 - 1/4 full.
5. Place dirt from your garden on top of the newspaper, until your compost is 1/2 full.
   
6. Now, place any food scraps or paper products into compost such as fruit, vegetables, crushed egg shells, paper towels, etc.
7. Give your compost a little stir with a shovel or stick, making sure to cover your food scraps with dirt.
8. Spray with lukewarm water until moist, but not soaking wet.
9. With a drill make 8 to 10 small holes on bin lid.
10. Place lid on compost, every other day you add food scraps to bin you should give it a stir. Mixing the compost will help breakdown the scraps faster.
11. Wait 2 - 3 months to use your compost. Compost can be used as mulch to cover flower beds, as potting soil and sprinkled over your grass as a lawn conditioner. Don't use it all though, save at least 1/3 of your original compost and then you can start all over again.