Composting Made Easy
Composting Bin | Compost Bins | Compost Maker| Composter Can
We all
probably know someone who is fanatical about their lawn and garden and who own
or have made their own composting bin. So why all the fuss, you may ask? In an age where the buzzwords of green
and organic are everywhere, composting fits right in. There is nothing more
organic than composting and it has been around forever. If you think about it,
as long as there have been dying plants, there has been composting.
So what is
compost? According to the dictionary, compost is a mixture of various decaying organic substances, as dead
leaves or manure, used for fertilizing soil. There are several ways that
compost can be made. But it is usually done by gathering leaves, grass
clippings, and vegetable remnants and putting them into a pile and letting them
decompose or rot during a natural heating process.
This is where
a good composting
bin comes in. Some people choose to build their own while others prefer to
buy them. Fortunately, there are many different composters available and they
work quit well in the composting process. There are several different
varieties, which include Tumblers; Enclosed, Rollers and Worm composters…just
to name a few.
As with any
other process there are dos and don’ts. A compost pile is not a trash heap. You
only want to add items that will decompose naturally. Grass clippings, fruits,
vegetables, leaves and even shredded newspaper and coffee grounds are a good
source for your composting bins.
Avoid dairy products, meat, fish and pet droppings.
When making compost for your
home and garden, it is helpful to use a compost starter.
A compost starter can be
made on your own or found in any garden center or garden center website. Its main point of use is to speed up
the beginning of the decomposition process. You want to provide a climate that
is rich in protein and nitrogen.
You will also
want to keep your compost bin or pile in the sun because the heat will speed up
the decomposition process. It is also a good idea to collect your organic waste
for your pile over a couple days rather that take out small helpings. This will
again help with the heating up of your pile. And most importantly, be sure to
turn your pile on a regular basis with and a pitchfork.
Compost is
ready to use when it is a dark rich color and spreads easily. You do not want
to be able to pick out any of the original ingredients. The amount of time it
will take may vary.Once your
compost is finished it can be used in a variety of ways. It can be added
directly to soil, used as a mulch to maintain moisture and keep down weeds and
used in flower pots.
As you can see
the benefits of composting is plentiful. Even if you do not have a green thumb,
composting is an easy project to take on. And it doesn’t get more natural and
organic than that!