Compost and composting
Food leftovers, grass clippings, and many other organic materials can all be composted. Some composts are rotting fruits and vegetables, eggshells, nutshells, tea leaves, peels and leftovers of fruits and vegetables, paper filters, Hair, fur, torn newspaper, etc.
The natural method of transforming organic waste, such as leaves and food wastes, into a beneficial fertilizer that can improve soil and plants is known as composting. Compost is decomposed material that resembles fertile garden soil.
Compost pit
- To create a compost pit, make a hole, add your organic material to it, and then fill it with some grass or leaves.
- To create pockets of nutrient-rich material that will nourish the worms and bacteria in the nearby soil, you can place several compost pits together.
Benefits of composting at home
Nourishing the soil
The soil can keep more nutrients and moisture due to compost. Displacing the soil surface also reduces erosion.
Elimination of waste
By recycling kitchen waste instead of throwing them away, composting enables you to eliminate garbage and its overall effect on the environment.
Reduced requirement for synthetic fertilizers
Unlike many synthetic fertilizers, compost enriches your soil with organic material while devoid of toxic chemicals.
Increase good bacteria
Stimulates the growth of good bacteria and fungi that decompose organic matter to produce humus, a rich, nutrient-rich substance.
Important factors while making composts
Moisture level
Moisture levels in a compost pile must be sufficient for microorganism survival. Water is essential for moving materials inside the compost pile and allowing bacteria access to the nutrients in organic substances.
Nutrient balance
A correct ratio of “green” and “brown” organic elements is necessary for composting. It takes time and effort to get the ideal nutrient combination. Grass clippings, leftover food, and manure are “green” organic materials high in nitrogen. On the other hand, wood chips, dry leaves and branches are “brown” organic materials because they are high in carbon.
Careful about oxygen
Compared to anaerobic circumstances, the pile might decompose more quickly with aeration. To avoid drying out the rise and preventing the composting process, care has to be taken when adding too much oxygen.
Temperature
For optimum functioning, microorganisms need a specific temperature range. Plant seeds and viruses are eliminated within certain temperatures while composting proceeds quickly. Pile’s center may reach a minimum temperature of 140 °F for microbial activities.
Micro particles
Materials that have been ground, chipped, or shredded enhance the surface area on which microbes can feed. In addition, to maintain ideal temperatures, microparticles contribute to a more homogenous compost mixture and increase pile insulation.
Some don’ts while composting
- The rinds of oranges, peaches, and bananas should not be composted since they may contain pesticide residues.
- If you aren’t using a composter made for this purpose, avoid composting bones, meat, or fish wastes because these will bring pests.
- It would help if you didn’t compost black walnut leaves.
- Pet manures should not be added to compost applied to food crops.
- It would help if you did not use fecal matter from people, animals, or cat waste. They produce a terrible odor and spread parasites and diseases.
- Avoid compost-infected or perennial plants to prevent spreading diseases or perpetual plant seeds when laying your compost.
- Ash made of charcoal is poisonous to soil microbes. So it would help if you didn’t use them at all.
Composting site
Ware of sunlight
Even though too much sunlight might dry out compost, it can also assist warm the pile throughout the winter. The stack will get a cooling shadow in the summertime and sunlight in the wintertime if it is near a sizable deciduous tree.
Make a good drainage system
It would be best if you had proper drainage to avoid excessive water from collecting beside the pile and from ruining the compost.
Downwind
Unpleasant odors can generally come from a compost pile that is appropriately maintained. However, the excessive wind might dry or scatter the material because the wind brings in the fresh air.
Making composts at home
Making a compost pile can be done in a variety of ways.
Backyard composting
Duration: 2 months – 2 years
- For the location of your compost pile or bin, choose a dry, shaded area close to a water source.
- As the brown and green components are gathered, add them and ensure to chop or shred the more significant parts.
- As you add dry items, moisten them with water.
- After your compost pile has been formed, add grass cuttings and green garbage to it and put fruit and vegetable scraps 10 inches beneath the compost.
- To maintain moisture, use wood, plastic sheeting, or discarded carpet to cover the area. Keeping things covered helps compost keep its heat and moisture.
- Give the mound a brief turn with a pitchfork or shovel every few weeks. It oxygenates the pile. Turning “keeps adding” oxygen is necessary for the process to occur.
- Your compost is prepared to be used when the substance at the bottom has a deep, rich coloration.
Indoor composting
Duration: 2 – 5 weeks
- Using a particular sort of bin you can get at your neighborhood shop or gardening supply store or create yourself, you can decompose waste indoors.
- Keep a container beneath the sink with a lid and a handle to hold food trash until you’re ready to transfer it to your composter.
- Make use of an old ice cream bucket if you don’t care about the unusual scent.
- Before adding anything, chop up all large chunks.
- After adding everything, moisturize them with a bit of water and keep the container for a few weeks with a lid.
Types Of Composting
Vermicomposting
Red worms produce compost in bins as they consume green waste, yard waste, and other organic material. The worms break this substance into castings, a higher form of compost. Around 800-1,000 mature worms can consume up to half a pound of organic substances daily. Producing good castings typically takes three to four months. Therefore, you can put the castings as a growing medium. Worm tea, another consequence of vermicomposting, is an excellent liquid fertilizer for gardens or indoor plants.
Aerobic composting
The presence of air during aerobic composting slightly increases the decomposition of the components.
For aerobic composting, use a “tumbler composter.” Add garbage and turn the handle or rotate the machine to keep the compost aerated. Adding a lot of grass clippings and other nitrogen-rich green matter sources is recommended. It might be necessary to use a pump or watering can to add moisture. Aerobic composting will produce unpleasant odors if you do not maintain it moist and forget to stir it regularly.
Anaerobic composting
Composting anaerobically requires essentially no effort. Scraps should be tossed into a compost pile or composter and left alone for a year or longer. Some deadly bacteria take over when there is no oxygen present. Unfortunately, it is what takes place in the garbage and is unhealthy.
FAQs
What drawbacks does composting have?
Costly for site preparation and equipment, and the composting process is lengthy.
How much time does a compost bin require?
6 – 8 weeks
Is it okay to compost weeds?
Yes
Are air holes required in a compost bin?
Yes, a few holes are required for air circulation.
What distinguishes a compost pit from a compost bin?
Compost pit depends on the worms, who consume the organic matter. The compost bin depends on aerobic and anaerobic bacteria for the process.