Yes, pop the organic champagne and fire up the fair trade jug band — the compost pile we began last fall is fruitful — literally. Our table scraps haven’t gone to Bee’s Ferry for months now, and instead their worm-riddled nutrient-rich remains are ready to be mixed back into our gardens and flowerbeds.

I’ve known for a few months that the pile was cooking properly, but I finally built an impromptu sieve from scrap materials. After sifting a couple healthy scoops, I had produced a uniform compost that looked pretty good. Ultimately, I plan to build a simple sifter like this guy, and get a big batch ready for are vegetable garden.

Fall is officially here, so this is the perfect time to start a compost pile of your own (lots of browns from falling leaves!) Happy composting, and for more notes — keep reading.

Random composting notes:

• You technically can put sticks in there, but don’t. It will make sifting your compost much easier.
• Turn your compost and look for worms and other bus. Bugs are good. We have lots of bugs.
• If you live near the marsh, watch out for the fiddler crabs. We have so many, and they can eat a whole basket of scraps in one night if I don’t cover it.
• Whole onions don’t really break down - chop ‘em up.
• Really try to find and save leaves during the summer when possible. Without them, you pile will get soggy with organics.
• Watch out for dry spells, as your pile needs moisture to stay healthy. Just remember to water it along with the rest of your gardens.