Compost is an organic material that can be added to the soil to support plant growth. Currently, leftovers and garden waste make up more than 30% of what we throw away and can be composted instead. Composting keeps these substances away from landfills, taking up space there and releasing methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
For those new to composting or who want to improve an existing compost pile, here are some great tips and tricks to help you improve your compost.
1. Invest in a decent compost bin
Compost bins are a must for home gardeners with ample outdoor space. Not only does compost help your pots and borders thrive, but compost is also an eco-friendly way to get rid of food and garden debris.
2. Choose the perfect spot for your compost bin
A pile of compost can be placed in the sun or in the shade, but placing it in the sun speeds up the composting process. The sun helps raise temperatures and allows bacteria and fungi to work faster. This also means that the mountains dry faster, especially in the warmer southern climate.
3. Let the worms do the work
Worms enhance both the physical and chemical decomposition of compost. Their cast can be used directly as compost and has some great properties. It is full of beneficial bacteria and can stimulate plant growth and even help protect the plant from some diseases.
4. Choose the good stuff for your compost
A pile of compost is made up of four basic components: nitrogen, carbon, water and air. Soil and filters, and fertilizers from non-carnivores. Vegetable peels, fruit waste, tea bags, plant cutouts and grass cutouts are suitable for composting. These are quickly broken down to provide important nitrogen and moisture. Almost all organic materials that still contain moisture or "life" are considered green materials.
5. Avoid the bad stuff
Never add animal-based food scraps such as meat, seafood, greasy food, or dairy products to your bin or pile. These will smell bad as they decompose and attract pests like roaches and rats.
6. Get the balance right
To make a good compost, you need a 50/50 mixture of nitrogen and carbon rich materials. Nitrogen is made from lush materials such as grass clippings. Carbon comes from brown materials such as wood stems and cardboard. For each load of bucket of green material, you need to add the same amount of brown material.
7. Use compost activator
Most compost activators stimulate the composting process to help start or speed up decomposition by providing additional nitrogen. Compost accelerators should increase the rate of decomposition in a cool compost bin usually by providing more nitrogen, so it seems to be another name for a Compost Activator.
8. Consider fallen leaves for your compost
Did you know that leaves can be a valuable garden resource? These leaves can be turned into compost. Despite being low in essential phytonutrients such as nitrogen, the leaves contain small amounts of all the nutrients the plant needs and are a valuable source of organic matter that improves the soil.
For those who are new to composting or who want to improve an existing pile of compost, here are some great tips and tricks to help you improve your compost.