In this blog, we are going to talk about how to make compost at home. According to many people, composting at home can easily turn into bad rap. There are several misconceptions about home composting among which messy, bad smells, and too complicated are three of them.
Such things can be true if someone composts in the wrong way. That’s why we have come up with how to do compost at home in a simple and right manner. It’s time to turn your yard waste and food scraps into black gold for feeding the plants.
Table of Content
What is compost?
In simple words, compost is a decomposed organic material. It is produced when garbage and biodegradable trash break down due to the presence of bacteria in the soil. The end product will be rich in minerals that are perfect for your garden.
So, it is good to consider it as a suitable amendment for nature. You can add this to your soil whenever you want throughout the year without even fearing to polluting water or burning plants.
What to compost?
You can use things that are a little past their prime in your refrigerator. With this, you can aid in reducing food waste. Several kinds of yard waste should be composted rather than get dumped.
If you want to start off the compost pile right now, then collect items like shredded newspaper, fruit scapes, coffee grounds, and vegetable scraps. You can also use dry leaves, straws, finely chopped bark, and wood chips.
There is no need to add pet waste, dairy, chemically treated wood, or meat scraps. Such kinds of items can result in unpleasant odors and harm your compost due to the presence of harmful chemicals.
How to prepare compost at home?
For some of you, a rotting pile in the backyard is much better. Others might want the best compost around with the aid of the rigors of science. Take a look at the steps below, it is an easy way to make compost at home.
1) Choose a site
Always consider a discreet location for keeping your neighbors happy. It would be good if you locate a spot having access to water and good airflow. In the summer, there must be partial shade just to avoid the pile from getting too hot. In the winter, the good sun would be better to keep your pile warm.
2) Go for a bin
You can make your workable bin with simple methods. In case, you’re purchasing a composter we will prefer to buy rotating bins. With this, you can easily turn your treasure and even keep animals out. There is no need to worry about size if you’re buying a commercial composter. If you’re making a pile, then 3x3x3 feet is perfect. Such kind of size is small enough to turn but big enough for creating heat.
3) Add green and brown material
You can expect high nitrogen in green materials. So, you can use kitchen scraps like fruit peelings, eggshells, and coffee grounds. On the other hand, using brown material will boost carbon. In this category, things fall, such as small branches, cornstalks, paper, and sawdust.
4) Sprinkle water
The final key ingredient in your thriving compost pile is water. If there is no moisture, then the pile will take months, and you’ll end up with nothing. In case, your pile gets dry enough then it will fail to break down at all. If your pile is too wet, then be ready to face the smell and slimy product due to the overweighing of harmful bacteria.
5) Turn your pile regularly
It doesn’t matter whether you’re using a pile or compost bin, there is a need to turn the materials with the aid of a pitchfork or shovel. Just move the pile’s outer portion toward the center with this you can turn each scoop. Until you see the decomposing material within the pile, you can continue to shuffle.
Benefits of composting
1) Recycles waste
With composting, you can divert around 30% of household waste away from the garbage. It is vital because whenever any organic matter hit the landfill, then there is a lack of air which is a must in decomposing.
2) Reduction in landfill waste
Most of the landfills out there are getting filled quickly. Even many landfills already got closed down. Compostable materials contribute to landfill waste for around one-third part. The best part about composting is that our landfills will last longer.
3) Boost fertility
If you add compost to plants, there will be stimulation in healthy root development and improvement in soil fertility. Whatever organic matter is present in compost will offer food for microorganisms. With this, your soil will remain in balanced and healthy condition.
4) It’s free
Now, we have come to the most exciting benefit, which is that compost is free. In this, you use your kitchen waste, leaves, and lawn clippings, which otherwise would leave alone in the garbage. Even you can save money by not spending it on landfill fees.
Conclusion
With composting, you can take your waste, leftovers, and unwanted extras to the next level. Their end product can work as a way to fertile soil for boosting the productivity of landscapes. From now, you can start living more sustainably with our blog on how to make your own compost at home.
