Composting is a natural process that turns organic waste into rich soil. By adding compost to your garden, you can grow healthier plants and reduce the amount of trash going to landfills. Composting is an easy way to recycle food scraps and yard trimmings. Its also a great way to save money on your gardening bills by using free materials instead of buying expensive fertilizer. You dont need any special equipment or training to start composting. All you need are some containers, a shovel, and a little bit of time. You can use compost for many things, including: Adding it to your vegetable garden as a mulch to help retain moisture in the soil. Using it as a top dressing on flower beds. Sprinkling it around trees and shrubs as a fertilizer. Mixing it with peat moss and sand to create a potting mix. Making it into a homemade fertilizer. This article will teach you how to make compost at home. Youll learn about the different types of compost available, what ingredients to add to each type, and when to turn them over. What Is Compost? Composting is a natural recycling process where organic matter decomposes into nutrients that plants can use. The best thing about composting is that it doesnt require electricity or fuel. Instead, it uses only sunlight, air, water, and bacteria to break down organic material. The result is a nutrient-rich substance called compost. This is perfect for growing healthy plants because it contains all the elements needed for plant growth. Types Of Compost There are three main types of compost: Kitchen compostthis is made from kitchen scraps like fruit skins, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, meat bones, and other leftovers. Greenhouse compost this is made primarily from grass clippings, leaves, and weeds. Manure compost this is made mostly from animal manure. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Kitchen Compost Kitchen compost is usually made from leftover foods. These include fruits and vegetables, bread, pasta, rice, beans, and meats. Its important to keep these items separate so they dont attract pests. If you have pets, be sure to remove their droppings before starting the compost pile. Greenhouse Compost Greenhouse compost is ideal for people who want to grow flowers. The most common greenhouse compost includes grass clippings, weeds, and fresh leaves. Manure Compost Manure compost is made from animal manure. Its often used to fertilize gardens and lawns. Here's a step-by-step guide to making your own compost: 1. Collect Organic Waste Collect leaves, grass clippings, vegetable scraps, fruit rinds, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, paper towels, cardboard, and so forth. Don't forget to collect food scraps like banana peels, apple cores, carrot tops, celery stalks, potato skins, and onion skins. 2. Spread Out the Material Spread out all of your collected material over a large area of your yard. The larger the pile, the longer it takes to decompose. 3. Rotate the Pile Rotate the pile every 3 weeks. This allows air to circulate throughout the pile and speeds up the decomposition process. 4. Monitor Progress Check the pile regularly to ensure it doesn't become too wet or dry. When it starts to smell bad, turn the pile around and let it sit for another week before turning again. 5. Turn the Pile Every Few Weeks Once the pile has reached 2 inches deep, turn it around and leave it alone for another week. Repeat this process until the pile has decomposed completely. Turning the compost helps aerate it, which allows oxygen to reach the bottom layers. This makes the compost more fertile and easier to work with. Also, turning the compost keeps it from becoming compacted. When it gets compacted, it becomes difficult to access the nutrients inside. In addition, turning the compost also lets you see if there are any pests or diseases present. 6. Use the Compost Use the finished compost to fertilize your garden.You can use it in place of commercial fertilizer. 7. Store the Compost Store the compost in an open container that's protected from rain and sunlight. Keep it away from heat sources such as radiators, fireplaces, and hot tubs. Composting is a great way to recycle organic waste and turn it into nutrient-rich soil for your garden or lawn. Its also an easy, free way to reduce the amount of trash you produce. Next step Gardener services Maintenance gardener Setup gardener Balcony gardener Vegetable gardener Flower gardener Virtual garden consultation Landscaping services Landscape design Landscape garden maintenance Online nursery Organic pesticides and fertilizers Plant media Organic seeds Extra reading All about mulch Vermicomposting Organic fertilisers Soil for the garden Happy Gardening! Dr. Vandana K.
