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How to Compost at Home for a Healthy Garden

Written by Amir Tajer

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Posted on November 05 2021

Are you an avid gardener and want to give your flower or vegetable garden the best? Then try composting!

Compost is a mixture of organic ingredients such as yard waste and food scraps that combine together and break down into a nutrient-rich mixture that is perfect for fertilizing your plants.

How Do I Make It?

How to make compost

All you need to make compost is some food scraps, other organic materials, and a little bit of time.

You can build compost bins from wood and keep them in a section of your yard, or simply fill a plastic bin or other empty container that you have on hand.

To begin, combine all your old food scraps and trimmings from yard work including:

  • Vegetables and fruits
  • Eggshells
  • Coffee grounds
  • Grass clippings
  • Leaves and twigs
  • Sawdust
  • Shredded newspaper
  • Nut shells

Avoid added any of the following, as they can ruin your compost and cause it to rot or become unusable:

  • Diseased plant clippings
  • Treated wood
  • Animal waste
  • Meat
  • Oil, fat and grease
  • Dairy
  • Weeds that can go to seed

The method that you choose will determine how long it takes before your compost is usable.

Types of Compost

Different types of compost

1. Hot Compost

The first type is hot. This takes more effort but will yield usable compost in about three months.

You need to utilize nitrogen, air, water and carbon.

To hot compost:

Combine wet, green ingredients such as food scraps with dry, brown yard waste.

You should have three parts brown ingredients to one part green.

Next, you add water until the mixture is the consistency of a damp sponge. Stir it once a week to circulate the oxygen.

If you have the correct ration, the mixture should radiate heat as it quickly decomposes.

Once it has reached a rich, brown and crumby state, you are ready to use it in your garden! Simply spread four to six inches to give your plants the nutrients they need.

2. Cold Compost

Next is cold compost. This takes more time but little effort. All you need to do is combine your compost scraps and ingredients and wait until it reaches a usable form.

You can speed up the process by opting for vermicompost or adding Alfalfa Meal to your compost pile. This uses the assistance of red worms to add nitrogen to the mix and help it along.

You can easily purchase red worms from any garden supply store.

3. Bokashi Compost

If you are pressed for space, try bokashi compost. This is another fast method that takes up little space. You can even do it on the countertop of your kitchen!

All you need is an airtight container to hold your waste and scraps. Add in some bokashi brand and drain off the liquid that accumulates.

This process is actually a form of fermentation, but is quick and easy and will still produce nutrient-rich compost for your garden.

Once you get the hang of composting, it will become second nature.

You will learn to toss your leftovers from meal prep into the mix and wait for the rich yield that will transform your garden.

 

 

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