Q: I want to recycle my organic waste, but composting sounds like a lot of work. Is there a way to compost that doesn't take a lot of time?
 
A:  "Pit" or "trench" composting is probably the easiest way to recycle organic kitchen scraps (vegetable matter only - don't add meat or poultry scraps), yard waste, and grass clippings. Dig a pit or trench at least a foot deep, and toss a layer (about 4") of kitchen scraps or yard waste into it, mixing them with a little soil. Cover with at least 8 inches of soil and simply wait for the wastes to decompose. Depending on soil temperature, soil microorganisms, and the materials you've added, decomposition will take anywhere from a few weeks to a year. If you dig your compost pits or trenches into the pathways between this season's garden beds or rows, you can plant next season's crops into the composted areas.