November 18, 2024 | Sustainable Home Tips
composting basics for your eco garden
Table of Content
Composting is a wonderful way to reduce waste, nourish your garden, and contribute to a healthier planet. If you’re new to composting and looking to get started at home, here are five essential tips to guide you on your eco-friendly journey.
Choose the Right Location: Selecting an appropriate location for your compost bin is crucial. Opt for a spot that receives partial sunlight, offers easy access, and has good drainage. Avoid placing it too close to your home to prevent attracting pests and unpleasant odors – unless you are looking to domesticate a few raccoons. Ensure your chosen area has proper air circulation to support efficient decomposition.
Gather the Right Materials: Composting relies on a balance of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials. Greens include kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and grass clippings. Browns consist of dry leaves, straw, cardboard, and newspaper. It is really helpful if you are able to shred your leaves ahead. Aim for a 3:1 ratio of brown to green materials to maintain an ideal environment for decomposition. Layer them like a nice torte and you will get the perfect blend to have your plants thrive. What do you do with the extra leaves from raking your lawn this fall? Create leaf mold bins to amp up your compost for next season – instructions can be found 104homestead.
Invest in a Suitable Container: There are various options for compost containers, such as bins, tumblers, and DIY piles. A compost bin with a lid and ventilation is advantageous, as it helps control pests and odors while retaining heat for faster decomposition. Tumblers simplify turning and mixing, expediting the composting process, though in my experience the capacity is very limited and they can rust out over many seasons. Basic wood pallets (untreated) which you can easily find for free in most cities and suburbs can be drilled together to create bins that are well ventilated and functional.
Know What to Compost: Understanding what can and cannot be composted is essential for successful composting. Compostable materials include:
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Fruit and vegetable scraps
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Coffee grounds and filters
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Eggshells
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Yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, small branches)
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Shredded cardboard and newspaper
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Plant trimmings
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Manure from herbivores (cow, horse, rabbit)
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Dryer lint (if from natural fibers)
Avoid composting meat, dairy, greasy foods, pet waste, and diseased plants, as they can attract pests or harbor pathogens. Also, refrain from composting treated wood, glossy paper, and plastics.
Here’s a helpful rhyme:
Greens are good, they make it hum,
Veggies, coffee, and leaves from the sun.
But no meat, no cheese, they won’t decay,
Greasy stuff and plastic, keep ’em away.
Maintain and Monitor Your Compost: Compost needs regular attention to thrive. Turning or tumbling your compost every few weeks helps aerate and mix the materials, facilitating faster decomposition and odor control. Ensure your compost stays moist, similar to a wrung-out sponge. If it becomes too dry, add water; if it’s too wet, incorporate more brown materials. Use a compost thermometer to monitor the temperature, aiming for a range between 130°F and 160°F (54°C to 71°C). When your compost turns dark, crumbly, and emits an earthy scent, it’s ready to enrich your garden soil.
Composting at home is a rewarding practice that reduces waste and enhances your garden’s health. By following these five tips, you’ll embark on a successful composting journey and contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future. If you don’t know where to start, there are fantastic YouTube channels dedicated to homesteading and composting to check out. If you want to hire out set up or leaves harvesting, post it on pigybak! Happy composting!
oinkers Author
