Editor’s Note: This is part 3 of our weekly gardening series, in which Ian will share tips and his experiences throughout the growing season. I was totally afraid of composting, mostly because I didn’t think it was possible in the city. I did a little research and discovered compost tumblers, round sealed bins that limit odor (coffee grounds also help deodorize) and sit off the ground to prevent pests. Compost tumblers promote aeration and internal heat necessary to breakdown organic matter, and they have two compartments to start a batch as another batch nears completion. What is compost? Organic food and yard waste decomposes over time to become finished compost, a soil rich with organisms and nutrients that are beneficial to plants. What’s amazing about compost is the transition from the table back to the earth. Compost is a combination of dry and wet materials including but not limited to: newspaper; fruit & vegetable scrap like potato and carrot peels, apple cores, banana skins; coffee grounds; yard trimmings; seaweed. Compost should be added to gardens or pots every season to compensate for soil loss and to promote plant health. 
Seaweed? Yes seaweed. Seaweed is an activator in any compost heap that is rich in amino acids and the vital nutrients Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus (most plant fertilizers are measured by their N-P-K ratios). Collecting seaweed is easy for coastal residents- recently I drove to the beach in Little Compton and filled a garbage bag with seaweed to bring home to my compost heap. So far, my compost is off to a good start. It is amazing how decomposition shrinks organic matter, and I am already starting to see it is turning rich and dark. I will have my first batch of finished compost probably by the end of the summer. As with other aspects of gardening, it is much more rewarding to produce products than it is to purchase them, though I have purchased compost up to this point. I also used organic seaweed enriched mulch for my potted plants and fruit trees. Although I purchased a compost tumbler, the City of Providence has offered free compost bins in the past, as well as a yearly compost pick-up day available to all city residents. Compost is also available through the Providence Community Growers Network. Compost is one of the most important gifts that you can give your garden.
Seaweed? Yes seaweed. Seaweed is an activator in any compost heap that is rich in amino acids and the vital nutrients Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus (most plant fertilizers are measured by their N-P-K ratios). Collecting seaweed is easy for coastal residents- recently I drove to the beach in Little Compton and filled a garbage bag with seaweed to bring home to my compost heap. So far, my compost is off to a good start. It is amazing how decomposition shrinks organic matter, and I am already starting to see it is turning rich and dark. I will have my first batch of finished compost probably by the end of the summer. As with other aspects of gardening, it is much more rewarding to produce products than it is to purchase them, though I have purchased compost up to this point. I also used organic seaweed enriched mulch for my potted plants and fruit trees. Although I purchased a compost tumbler, the City of Providence has offered free compost bins in the past, as well as a yearly compost pick-up day available to all city residents. Compost is also available through the Providence Community Growers Network. Compost is one of the most important gifts that you can give your garden.
