Composting is something most avid gardeners and environmentalists are familiar with, however, we have seen a trend of many homeowners implementing their own backyard compost systems in recent years. Many people may not realize this, but gardeners have used compost for centuries with the intention of increasing organic matter in the soil, while improving the physical properties of the soil at the same time. Not only will healthy compost work to fertilize the garden, but also it is mild and won’t burn plants like most chemical fertilizers.
By adding compost to your garden, you will improve the overall texture of your soil, helping it to retain and drain water better. While some people are grossed out by the idea of saving food scraps and yard waste and then incorporating them into the garden, this is one of the best things you can do for your budding plants, and the planet.
If you are new to gardening or having finally deciding to try your hand at composting in your backyard, we’ve got a few tips to help you out. Fortunately, composting isn’t that complicated. With the help of the information below, you will have a greener household and more eco-conscious yard in no time!
Benefits of Composting
Before we look at the different composting methods, let’s go over some of the top benefits of composting:
- Enriches soil, working to retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests
- Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers
- Encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi
- Reduces methane emissions from landfills
- Lowers your carbon footprint
These are just a few of the main reasons why composting is wonderful for your garden as well as Mother Earth.
Backyard vs. Indoor Composting
The ideal spot for composting is your backyard. However, if you do not have enough room, you can always do it indoors in a container. There are plenty of composting bins for sale that will keep the stench out of your home while turning your old food scraps into deliciously warm compost for your garden. If you opt for a backyard set up, be sure and select a dry, shady spot near a water source. Once you’ve done that, add brown and green materials – such as dead leaves, branches, grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds – to the bin or pile.
Be sure and moisten dry materials as they are added. Once your compost pile is established, mix grass clippings and green waste into the pile and bury fruit and veggie waste at least 10 inches under compost waste. You can either cover the top of your compost pile with a tarp to keep it moist or let nature do the work, it’s up to you. Keep in mind the compost will be ready to use once the material at the bottom is dark and rich in color, which usually takes anywhere between two months and two years.
Do NOT Compost These Items
You’re almost ready to get started — but be sure to keep in mind that you should NEVER compost these items: meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, oily foods or grease, bones, cat and dog waste, diseased plants and seeds of weedy plants, anything treated with pesticides. As always, if you have any questions or would like to know more about compositing, let us know!
Here’s a few of our favorite indoor composting units.
Feature image courtesy of Joi Ito