“Get Your Garden Growing: The Basics of Composting”
Q: What is composting?
Composting is the process of breaking down organic materials, such as food waste and yard debris, into a nutrient-rich soil-like substance that can be used to fertilize plants. It involves creating a pile or bin of these materials, adding water and air to speed up decomposition.
Q: Why should people compost?
Composting offers many benefits. Firstly, it helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. This, in turn, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps combat climate change. Secondly, it provides a natural fertilizer for gardens and helps improve soil health by increasing microbial activity. Finally, composting can save money on trash pickup fees or purchasing commercial fertilizers.
Q: What items can be composted?
Most organic materials can be added to a compost pile or bin such as fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds/filters tea bags/leaves paper towels/napkins/cardboard (as long as they are not coated with chemicals), grass clippings leaves/dry plant material wood chips/shavings sawdust/hay/manure (from herbivores). However meat products/oily foods/bones cannot be included as they attract pests like rats/mice.
Q: How do you start composting at home?
To start composting at home you will need an area in your backyard for your pile/bin where there is good drainage but not too much sun exposure which dries out the pile; alternatively you could purchase an indoor composter if space is limited. Add the “Green” (nitrogen-rich) materials from the list above followed by some “Brown” (carbon-rich) matter such as cardboard/newspaper/paper towels etc.. sprinkle some water over this mixture so that it’s moist but not saturated then top off with another layer of Green/Brown matter till your container/pile is full . Make sure to turn/stir every few weeks to aerate and speed up the process.
Q: How long does it take for compost to be ready?
The time needed for composting depends on many factors like what materials were added, how much was added, weather conditions etc.. Generally speaking, it takes about 3-6 months to make finished compost in a pile/bin that’s regularly tended with frequent turning/stirring.
Q: Can you put weeds in your compost bin/pile?
Yes! Weeds can be added to your compost but only if they have not gone to seed or are treated with chemical herbicides which could harm good bacteria.
Q: What are some common mistakes people make when composting?
One of the most common mistakes is adding too much “Green” material which creates an unpleasant odor and slows down the decomposition process. Another mistake is not adding enough water or air since these two elements are crucial for breaking down organic matter. Finally, using non-biodegradable items such as plastic bags can contaminate the finished product making it less effective as fertilizer.
Q: Any final tips for successful home-composting?
Remember to keep things balanced between Green/Brown matter and moisture/air levels. Don’t include meat products/oily foods/bones or pet waste as these will attract pests like rodents/maggots and may carry harmful diseases. If you live in an apartment complex or don’t have outdoor space consider investing in a worm composter (vermicomposter) which uses earthworms to break down food scraps into nutrient-rich soil amendment called vermicompost (worm castings).