Composting

Let me begin by saying that nothing, abolutely nothing, beats good compost for growing vegetables. The true test of whether you have composted well is an explosion in the worm population. 

If you are looking to begin composting, these websites compostbins.com, composters.com and Amazon.com offer a range of outside composters so you can evaluate, but I think most are too small or made of cheap plastic and I am not a fan of tumblers. If you want a good one for outside for only $20, or a worm bin for only $5, check out the LA Bureau of Sanitation (here), where they sell them in Griffith Park and you have the option of attending a workshop.

For those like me who prefer their composting low tech, you may need two composters: while one is decomposing, you add to the other one. Initially I made a common mistake: I added too much "green" (kitchen scraps). When I added more dead leaves ("brown") the mix was better and the fruit flies disappeared. Some say the ratio of brown to green should be 30:1, which is high but effective - definitely add all those clippings from the garden. The other problem was rats - one gnawed a hole in the side - and raccoons. Once I became careful to eliminate most meat, and the cat population increased, the rats weren't a problem. I still see lizards and black widows and occasional fruit flies. Remember the finer the scraps are, the quicker they will decompose, and all composters need air, water and regular turning.

Next, do not fill your green bin with all your raked leaves. Compost them! I have one friend who collects all his neighbors' leaves. As compost/soil bags go up in price, this is a smart move.

But to come back to worms, it's not for everyone since they need to be fed regularly. There are several suppliers in Northridge: http://www.lacity.org/san/solid_resources/recycling/composting/worm_supplier_list.htm and Green Arrow has worm condos.