The poop scoop

Bob, my sweet, sweet husband, does all my composting for me.  I do help him out a little bit.  I keep a compost pot by my sink and throw in all my vegetable trimmings, egg shells, coffee and tea grounds, and any flower arrangement that might be a little past its prime.  Warning:  You cannot place meat in the compost bin.

Bob contributes the majority of the compost (grass clippings, dog manure, prunings, etc).  He layers the compost materials and keeps black tarp over the compost pile (to add a bit of heat.)  Monthly, he turns the layers over and adds 8-8-8 fertilizer to the top, then re-covers the heap with the tarp.  He fusses at me if I throw away leaves or sticks.  Everything goes into the compost pile (except meat-- but I have questioned him about the doggie poop and he just shakes his head to indicate that I need to research the whys of that myself).  He has a Sears shredder that when its working, shreds limbs, twigs and leaves.  The kids and I tease him about his relentless quest to scoop up doggie poop all over the yard and add it to his pail that he empties out regularly.  You can see the pail below, too along with the compost heap.   Our composting is continuous and is generally ready to add in February.

Bob also makes compost tea-- requiring  1/4 pail of compost, a burlap bag and water.  He puts the burlap bag in the pail and covers it with water.  In a few days, you can use it to water flowers and it's an excellent fertilizer. 

Susannah always reminds me to tell Bop (what Anderson calls him-- the other grandchildren call him Pop but Anderson has trouble with his Ps) to bring his pooper scooper with him when we come to the Dallas area so he'll have plenty to do in her yard, too.  He's already excited.