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- Step-by-Step to Your First Compost Bin 🤓 + Mindset Hacks!
Step-by-Step to Your First Compost Bin 🤓 + Mindset Hacks!
Btw, do you think big companies promote overly complicated gardening methods to make homesteading seem harder than it is?
Cedie Omaña
September 26, 2024
In partnership with
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Life on the farm is a school of patience; you can’t hurry the crops or make an ox in two days."
— Henri Alain
HOMESTEAD TIP OF THE DAY
Strengthen your homestead’s defenses against winter predators such as foxes and coyotes. Secure chicken coops and livestock enclosures with additional locks, wire mesh, and fencing to keep animals safe.
Do you think big companies promote overly complicated gardening methods to make homesteading seem harder than it is? |
IN TODAY'S EDITION
Homestead Tip 🌱
Poll Results From Last Tuesday 📊
All Things Homestead: The Basics of Building a Compost Bin 🤓
Personal Development: Understanding Mindset Shifts 💛
Today's Top Picks 🛍️
Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣
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POLL RESULTS FROM LAST TUESDAY
Do you think there’s an agenda behind promoting lab-grown meat to phase out traditional animal farming?
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yes, they want to control the food supply.
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ It’s possible, but I’m undecided.
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ I'm unsure, but I've thought about it.
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ No, lab-grown meat is just an alternative.
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Others (Feel free to specify your answer after you've voted.)
via @beehiiv polls
Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉
ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD
The Basics of Building a Compost Bin 🤓
Building a compost bin is a great way to turn kitchen scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich soil for your garden. And yes, you can make one that works through the winter! Here’s a simple guide to building a compost bin that will keep breaking down your waste, even when it’s cold outside.
1. Find the Perfect Spot
Convenience Matters
Choose a location that’s easy to reach but not too close to your house. You’ll want to easily toss in your scraps without the smell bothering you. A spot that gets some winter sun helps keep the compost warm.Why It Matters:
A well-placed bin is easy to use and gets enough warmth to keep things composting through the cold months.
2. Use Materials You Have
Get Creative
You don’t need anything fancy. You can use wooden pallets, wire mesh, or even old plastic barrels. Just make sure to use untreated wood if you're going that route to avoid chemicals seeping into your compost.Why It Works:
Repurposing materials saves money and keeps things simple, which is what homesteading is all about.
3. Ensure Proper Airflow
Let It Breathe
Compost needs air to break down properly. When building your bin, leave gaps for airflow. If you’re using boards, drill small holes on the sides to let oxygen circulate.Why It Helps:
Good airflow prevents your compost from becoming a soggy mess and speeds up the decomposition process.
4. Insulate for Winter
Keep It Cozy
When temperatures drop, compost can slow down. To keep it going, insulate the bin by wrapping it in a tarp or stacking leaves or straw bales around it.Why It Works:
Insulation helps keep the compost warm, so it stays active even in cold weather.
5. Balance Your Browns and Greens
Get the Mix Right
A successful compost pile needs a good balance of “browns” (dry materials like leaves or cardboard) and “greens” (wet materials like kitchen scraps). A ratio of 3 parts browns to 1 part greens works best.Why It Matters:
This balance helps prevent bad smells and keeps the composting process going smoothly.
6. Turn the Pile
Stir It Up
Every few weeks, give the compost a good turn to mix things up and get air into the pile. During the winter, you can turn it less often, but regular stirring helps keep things moving along.Why It Helps:
Turning the pile keeps it from becoming compacted and ensures everything breaks down evenly.
7. Add a Lid or Cover
Protect It from the Elements
A cover or tarp helps protect your compost from too much rain or snow, which can waterlog the pile. It also helps trap heat during colder months.Why It’s Important:
A lid keeps excess moisture out, ensuring the compost can keep working.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Understanding Mindset Shifts 💛
Feeling stuck or frustrated when things don't pan out? Maybe it's time to tweak your thinking! Carol S. Dweck's book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, dives deep into how shifting your mindset can really shape your happiness and success.
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset
Ever thought you're just "not good" at something? That's a fixed mindset speaking. It locks you into believing abilities are set in stone. On the flip side, a growth mindset thrives on effort and learning. It views challenges as stepping stones to improvement, not evidence of incapacity.
Why switch to a growth mindset?
It makes you receptive to learning and evolving. Instead of dodging challenges, you'll start to embrace them. Think of challenges like a muscle that gets stronger with each workout. They're your chance to beef up your skill set.
Welcoming Challenges
Adopting a growth mindset transforms challenges from daunting to doable. They're opportunities, not threats. So, the next time you're faced with a tough spot, remember it's not about proving you're smart or skilled—it's about stretching and growing those abilities.
Learning from Criticism
Nobody loves criticism. But with a growth mindset, feedback isn't a slap in the face; it's a helping hand. It's not about pointing out your flaws for the sake of it; it's about showing you a path to being better.
Focus on the Effort
If you’re fixated on results, any failure can feel like a full stop. But when you value effort, every try counts, regardless of the outcome. It's like learning to play an instrument or fixing up an old barn—it takes time, patience, and a lot of missteps.
Talk to Yourself Positively
Ever heard of the power of "yet"? It's a small tweak to how you talk to yourself. Swap "I can't do this" with "I can't do this yet." This reminds you that mastery is a journey. You're learning, not failing.
Applying It to Homesteading
Start small and keep at it. Whether you're mastering a new farming technique or starting a big project, keep a growth mindset. You won't be perfect overnight. Every mistake is a lesson, not a setback.
THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER
Why did the apple pie go to the doctor?
Because it wasn’t peeling well.
TODAY'S TOP PICKS
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LET’S KEEP IT REEL!
I've put together some fantastic farm videos that are sure to make you laugh. Take a look and enjoy the fun!
When your baby cow just can’t get enough of its new shavings:
@funnyfarm1512 My cows 🐮🥰☺️#cows #foryou #animals #cowboy #tiktok #funny #cowboy #cow #animal #fyp
When your sheep are total pros at Mario jumping games:
@flwnrnrn #Funnysheep #Funnyanimal
When your farm dog totally blends in with a flock of sheep:
@hoest The way he blends in 😭 (@Lyss Teeuwissen) #dog #dogsoftiktok #farm #sheep #cute #wholesome #funny #comedy #hoest
ENGAGE WITH US
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