Turning Kitchen Scraps into Gardening Gold
Turn Your Kitchen Scraps into Gardening Gold!
Spring is bursting with life, ladies, and so can your compost pile! May is the perfect time to start composting in Northeast Florida and transform your kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich magic for your flourishing gardens.
Composting Basics: Composting is the natural process of decomposition that breaks down organic materials into a dark, crumbly substance called compost. This "black gold" is a fantastic soil amendment, teeming with beneficial microorganisms that improve soil structure, fertility, and water retention.
Getting Started: Composting doesn't require a fancy setup. You can create a simple pile in your backyard using a wire mesh bin or even an open pile on bare soil (check local regulations for open composting).
The Magic Mix: The key to successful composting lies in creating a balanced mix of "brown" and "green" materials. Brown materials like shredded leaves, cardboard, and twigs provide carbon. Green materials like kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings add nitrogen. Aim for a 3:1 ratio of brown to green for optimal decomposition.
May Marvels: Here's what makes May a great time to start composting:
Spring Yard Clean Up: Yard waste from spring cleaning becomes valuable "brown" material for your pile.
Abundant Kitchen Scraps: Spring vegetables often generate more scraps, perfect for adding nitrogen to your compost.
Warm Weather Boost: Warmer May temperatures accelerate the decomposition process.
Join the Composting Movement: Composting isn't just good for your garden; it's good for the environment! By diverting food scraps from landfills, you're reducing methane emissions and creating a sustainable solution for waste management.
So, ladies, grab your kitchen scraps and yard trimmings, and let's turn May into a month of composting magic! In future posts, we'll delve deeper into managing your compost pile and using the finished product to nourish your gardens. Happy composting!
Blog/In The News
On Tuesday, April 8th, our founder and president, Anna Barbary, had the honor of being a guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Orange Park Sunset. This was a meaningful opportunity to introduce more people to the mission, history, and goals of the Northeast Florida Homesteading and Prepping Ladies, and to spread awareness about the exciting initiatives we have coming up. Anna was joined by our dedicated Secretary and Treasurer, making the evening even more memorable. Together, they shared our nonprofit’s vision of empowering women through community-building, preparedness education, and self-reliance skills. From growing your own food to being ready for anything life throws your way, the message of resilience and local connection was warmly received. We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Rotary Club President Jeremiah Aut and all the members for the warm welcome and the opportunity to speak. The support and genuine interest shown by this inspiring group of community leaders meant a great deal to us. As a Rotarian herself, Anna always enjoys the chance to forge new Rotary friendships and strengthen bonds with those who are passionate about service and community impact. We are excited to continue building relationships across Northeast Florida and look forward to participating in more local events. Stay tuned for upcoming workshops, meetups, and ways to get involved with our mission! For event updates, resources, or to become a member of our growing community of like-minded women, be sure to explore our website and follow us on social media. Together, we grow stronger, smarter, and more prepared.
Our nonprofit has won its first grant! The Capital City Bank Group Foundation awarded Northeast Florida Homesteading and Prepping Ladies Inc. a grant of $250.00. The funds will go directly towards our pilot program, Jars of Change: Canning Together, Healing Forever. Please click here for more information: Empower Women | Homesteading Ladies Inc. ( neflhpl.org ) Our board members and advisory board members would like to thank Patricia Evans and the entire team at Capital City Bank for believing in our nonprofit. Together, we will forge a path towards a brighter and more self-reliant tomorrow.