Start Composting at Home – It’s Easier Than You Think

Posted byLori HamiltonPosted inUncategorized

With Earth Day just around the corner on April 22nd, many families are looking for ways to live more sustainably. One easy and impactful thing you can do is start composting at home. Composting reduces the amount of food waste sent to landfills while also creating nutrient-rich soil that can be used to grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Read on to learn how easy and beneficial home composting can be.

 Why Compost?

  • Reduces waste – Food scraps and yard waste make up over 30% of what we throw away. Composting keeps them out of landfills.
  • Creates free fertilizer – Compost contains nutrients plants need to grow like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Use it to fertilize your garden, houseplants, lawn.
  • Improves soil health – Adding compost to soil improves drainage, moisture retention and microbial activity.
  • Easy and convenient – Composting at home means you don’t have to transport compostable waste anywhere.

Getting Started

Composting is simpler than you might think. Here are the basics you need to get started:

  • Compost bin or pile – You can purchase compost bins at most hardware stores, or simply create a pile in your yard. Bins come in many styles but a basic open bin or enclosed turning unit works well.
  • Yard waste – Things like leaves, grass clippings, small branches can all be composted. Chop or shred large pieces to help them break down faster.
  • Kitchen scraps – Fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds and filters, eggshells and more can go right into your compost. Avoid meat, oils, and animal products.
  • Water – Your compost should have the moisture of a wrung-out sponge. Add water if it becomes too dry.
  • Airflow – Turn or mix the compost periodically to circulate air and speed decomposition.
  • Time – With the right ingredients and occasional mixing, compost takes 4-6 months to fully decompose. Be patient!

Using Your Finished Compost

Once your compost has broken down into dark, crumbly nutrient-rich matter, you can add it to your garden beds and pots when planting, spread it around trees and shrubs, or till it into your lawn. Compost improves all types of soil and plants love it! Ready to start enjoying the benefits of composting? Gather your materials, choose a composting spot, and start recycling your organic waste. Our planet and gardens will thank you. Have fun getting your hands dirty!

Sources

Author: Connor Coursey

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