Ways To Compost

Most people’s mental image of a compost is a large heap of rotting kitchen and yard scraps.   In truth, compost may be made from a wide variety of materials using a plethora of composting techniques.

It’s vital to select the best composting method for your needs, as each has benefits and drawbacks.

The Many Different Benefits of Composting

When organic matter is composted, it’s broken down to create a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can be utilized to enhance the soil in your garden. It’s a natural method that’s been fine-tuned over generations, and it’s something we can do in our own backyard.

Composting can be done in a variety of methods; the one you choose will depend on a number of things, including the space you have available, the organic waste you’re working with, and your own preferences.

One of the easiest things we can do to lessen our overall carbon impact is compost. If food wastes are not composted, they could end up in landfills, which are a substantial source of methane and other dangerous greenhouse gases.

Once the food scraps have transformed into compost, they can be used as a source of fertilizer for plants. This makes it possible for the plants to grow healthy and for the nutrition levels in the soil to be maintained.

Because compost encourages microbial diversity, which in turn helps to enrich the soil, it’s a much more effective form of fertilizing than chemical fertilizers.

Composting not only saves space but also water and energy. Composting uses a very small amount of energy, but the nutrient-rich soil it produces can reduce the amount of additional water required since compost helps soil retain water.

Things You Can Compost

• Fruits
• vegetables
• eggshells
• coffee grounds
• tea leaves
• many other food leftovers

can all be composted.

• Paper towels
• cardboard
• tissue
• other biodegradable paper items

can also be composted.

These items will break down and become part of the compost .

DO NOT, however,  include any:

• meat
• bones
• fat
• dairy products

in your compost pile because they might attract rats and harbor bacteria and odors.

Adding weeds or diseased plants will contaminate your compost, so you should avoid that.

Ways You Can Compost Your Food Scraps

Your food wastes can be composted in a variety of ways. You can compost your food wastes in:

• compost pile
• vermicompost bin
• bokashi container
• worm bin
• even without a bin at all

• Compost bins are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be used both indoors and outdoors. These containers are simple to use, practical, and offer the best conditions for decomposition.

• Comparable to compost bins, vermicompost bins hold worms rather than microbes. The worms’ efforts to decompose the food waste hasten the composting process.

• Another choice is to use Bokashi bins, which are a form of closed-container composting. Using a specific bran, food waste is added to the trash can using this technique. The bran has the dual effects of reducing smells and accelerating composting.

• Worm bins are similar to vermicompost bins, except instead of adding worms to the bin, the compostable materials are put to another container while the worms remain in the first. For individuals who prefer to compost indoors, this approach is excellent.

Ways To Start On Your Composting Journey

You can make a compost pile outside if you don’t have a compost container. Compostable materials are layered using this technique, and they are left to break down over time. For the best results, it’s crucial to turn and aerate the pile frequently.

Last but not least, you can compost your food scraps right in the garden. In order to do this, bury your food scraps a few inches underground. Over time, the food scraps will decay and replenish the soil’s essential nutrients. Do this away from your growing plants or in an area you plan to plant in later – as the decomposition sometimes uses the same nutrients your plants need.

Which approach is best for you? Your needs, the amount of space you have, and your budget will determine which approach is for you.

The most practical choice, however, is a compost bin, which is available in a range of sizes to meet various demands. Worm bins are another option that works quickly and can be used indoors. A compost pile or direct composting into the garden are both great alternatives if you don’t have the room or money for a compost bin. One thing to bear in mind is that turning compost piles frequently requires a lot of labor.

Takeaway

Composting is a great way to reduce food waste and create a nutrient-rich soil amendment! There are many ways to compost your food scraps, including compost bins, vermicompost bins, bokashi bins, worm bins, and composting piles.

Depending on your needs and available space, one of these methods will be best suited for you!