Home Composting: An Easy Way to Go Greener
Most municipalities (at least those with half a conscience) require that we recycle our glass, paper, plastic and such.
However, have you ever looked at the non-recyclable trash and wondered, "What the heck do I do with this?" There are ways to re-use a great deal of non-recyclable items, but one of the best is by composting your biodegradable waste.
It's actually super-easy to do at home, doesn't require a lot of supplies or technical know-how, and once it's started, it's easy to maintain.
You will not only reduce the volume of waste you put into the local landfill, you will also be provided with a rich fertilizer to make your garden and yard greener-in more ways than one! Composting 101 Composting is the process by which biodegradable materials (food materials, yard and garden clippings and cuttings, etc.
) is broken down into its basic components.
Compost is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, which are absolutely fantastic for fertilizing plants.
By piling these biodegradable elements together it gives the opportunity for cooperative bacteria and other helpful organisms like earthworms to break the items down and enrich them into an amazing fertilizer.
It's not sexy, but it's definitely a great tactic.
You almost certainly already use composted litter or fertilizer bought from your local garden supply store.
Why not make your own? You'll save money, and you'll be getting one step closer to truly "green living.
" You don't have to own acres of land-start out with your own little backyard! It's simple.
Starting Out: Preparing the Pile To begin the process, you'll need a composting bin.
You need a container that is fairly heat-resistant (when biomass is being broken down it can generate high internal heat), and which is open on top and has "breathable" sides to prevent the buildup of gases.
You can buy a composting bin at a local lawn and garden supply store, or you can make you own.
For a bigger bin, start out with a circle that measures about 3-4' in diameter, using 3-4' high plastic garden fencing or welded wire.
If you have a very small yard, you can decrease the size, of course.
Now, add your "starter" ingredients.
These will form the basis of the decaying/composting process.
Wait until you've done your weekly or monthly yard work, and collect the clippings, using them to line the compost bin.
Stemmy plants and sticks, along with other coarse, biodegradable materials, should be layered about 4" deep.
As they are available, add your home biodegradable wastes, such as food scraps (see the list below for some caveats, here), more lawn and garden scraps and clippings, chopped leaves, cut grass, etc.
Add a bit of water every now and then, to keep the mixture moist and keep the decaying process going, but make sure it's not too wet, or things will not degrade properly.
Think of the moisture level similar to that of a wrung-out dishtowel or sponge, damp to the touch but not dripping.
You can add almost anything that isn't plastic, glass or metal from the home into the compost bin, such as:
The easiest way to do this is to shift it around with a shovel or rake, or you can turn it out of the bin into a wheelbarrow and then move it back again.
This aerates the material and disperses some of the heat.
Also, make sure to try to keep a balance.
The going wisdom is "two parts brown, one part green", meaning try to keep more old material in the bin as opposed to too much new material.
For example, let your grass sit on the lawn for a day or two after cutting and then add it to the compost bin once it's dried out a little, then the next time, add it right away, when it's still green.
This keeps an optimum balance of moisture in the mixture.
You can introduce helpful creepy-crawlies, like earthworms, into the compost heap.
These ultra-helpful and extremely innocuous little guys make the composting process faster, easier, and they produce richer compost.
It's not mandatory, and you'll likely end up with some in there anyway without even trying! Using Compost Wisely You know your compost is ready when it no longer resembles its original components.
It should be a moist, dark, crumbly material, which can be a bit potent, especially if you used more food waste and manure.
Bear that in mind when you decide to compost.
If you live in tight circumstances, it might not be the best idea to have a gigantic compost bin, or your neighbors might complain! When it is ready, spread that material on your landscaping, in your veggie and fruit garden, and lightly on your yard.
You will see an almost immediate improvement in the rich greenness of your plants.
You will also see a dramatic reduction in the amount of garbage you're hauling out every week, which is always a great thing! Maybe you live in the 'burbs, but you can still do your part! Composting is easy, cheap, and well worth the minimal effort it takes to start and maintain the process.
However, have you ever looked at the non-recyclable trash and wondered, "What the heck do I do with this?" There are ways to re-use a great deal of non-recyclable items, but one of the best is by composting your biodegradable waste.
It's actually super-easy to do at home, doesn't require a lot of supplies or technical know-how, and once it's started, it's easy to maintain.
You will not only reduce the volume of waste you put into the local landfill, you will also be provided with a rich fertilizer to make your garden and yard greener-in more ways than one! Composting 101 Composting is the process by which biodegradable materials (food materials, yard and garden clippings and cuttings, etc.
) is broken down into its basic components.
Compost is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, which are absolutely fantastic for fertilizing plants.
By piling these biodegradable elements together it gives the opportunity for cooperative bacteria and other helpful organisms like earthworms to break the items down and enrich them into an amazing fertilizer.
It's not sexy, but it's definitely a great tactic.
You almost certainly already use composted litter or fertilizer bought from your local garden supply store.
Why not make your own? You'll save money, and you'll be getting one step closer to truly "green living.
" You don't have to own acres of land-start out with your own little backyard! It's simple.
Starting Out: Preparing the Pile To begin the process, you'll need a composting bin.
You need a container that is fairly heat-resistant (when biomass is being broken down it can generate high internal heat), and which is open on top and has "breathable" sides to prevent the buildup of gases.
You can buy a composting bin at a local lawn and garden supply store, or you can make you own.
For a bigger bin, start out with a circle that measures about 3-4' in diameter, using 3-4' high plastic garden fencing or welded wire.
If you have a very small yard, you can decrease the size, of course.
Now, add your "starter" ingredients.
These will form the basis of the decaying/composting process.
Wait until you've done your weekly or monthly yard work, and collect the clippings, using them to line the compost bin.
Stemmy plants and sticks, along with other coarse, biodegradable materials, should be layered about 4" deep.
As they are available, add your home biodegradable wastes, such as food scraps (see the list below for some caveats, here), more lawn and garden scraps and clippings, chopped leaves, cut grass, etc.
Add a bit of water every now and then, to keep the mixture moist and keep the decaying process going, but make sure it's not too wet, or things will not degrade properly.
Think of the moisture level similar to that of a wrung-out dishtowel or sponge, damp to the touch but not dripping.
You can add almost anything that isn't plastic, glass or metal from the home into the compost bin, such as:
- Leaves, straw, hay, other plant material from the yard NOT TREATED with chemicals
- Fruit and vegetable cores and peels
- Manure from NON-CARNIVOROUS and NON-OMNIVOROUS animals, such as horses, goats, fowl, rabbits, goats, etc.
(NO pig, dog, cat, or human dung) - Meat and other food wastes, EXCEPT those which are overly salty, fatty or sugary, as this can change the balance of bacteria in the compost
- Paper/Cardboard/paper products, which have been torn or ripped into strips or small pieces
The easiest way to do this is to shift it around with a shovel or rake, or you can turn it out of the bin into a wheelbarrow and then move it back again.
This aerates the material and disperses some of the heat.
Also, make sure to try to keep a balance.
The going wisdom is "two parts brown, one part green", meaning try to keep more old material in the bin as opposed to too much new material.
For example, let your grass sit on the lawn for a day or two after cutting and then add it to the compost bin once it's dried out a little, then the next time, add it right away, when it's still green.
This keeps an optimum balance of moisture in the mixture.
You can introduce helpful creepy-crawlies, like earthworms, into the compost heap.
These ultra-helpful and extremely innocuous little guys make the composting process faster, easier, and they produce richer compost.
It's not mandatory, and you'll likely end up with some in there anyway without even trying! Using Compost Wisely You know your compost is ready when it no longer resembles its original components.
It should be a moist, dark, crumbly material, which can be a bit potent, especially if you used more food waste and manure.
Bear that in mind when you decide to compost.
If you live in tight circumstances, it might not be the best idea to have a gigantic compost bin, or your neighbors might complain! When it is ready, spread that material on your landscaping, in your veggie and fruit garden, and lightly on your yard.
You will see an almost immediate improvement in the rich greenness of your plants.
You will also see a dramatic reduction in the amount of garbage you're hauling out every week, which is always a great thing! Maybe you live in the 'burbs, but you can still do your part! Composting is easy, cheap, and well worth the minimal effort it takes to start and maintain the process.