Composting is using decomposed organic matter to fertilize the soil and it is good for the environment as it helps to cut down on waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), yard trimmings and food residuals together constitute 23 percent of the U.S. waste stream. When so much waste can be returned to the soil and go on to enrich it, the act of putting organic matter in a landfill can be considered quite wasteful.
You’ll also find that when you compost, you are putting vital nutrients back into the soil. When organic matter breaks down, it will release valuable nutrients and bacteria back into the soil. Another benefit is that the compost is entirely natural and there are no further chemical consequences, the way there would be if a chemical or artificial fertilizer is used. When you add compost to the soil, you are improving the soil’s structure and fertility and also its ability to hold water.
The first thing that you need to do is to start thinking of what can and cannot go into your compost pile. Brown materials include things like leaves and hay, but you’ll find that they also include clean shredded paper, cardboard rolls, dryer lint that hasn’t used dryer sheets, and shredded newspapers count as well. Green materials are things like grass clipping, vegetable leavings, tea bags, coffee grounds, manure and fruit trimmings.
To make a traditional compost pile, you’ll need both green and brown materials, and you can put them into a pile that is roughly two to three feet square. You can also work with a compost bin, which will let you keep the pile more contained; some bins even give you the option of tumbling the compost to increase the heat reaction. After you have your compost pile together, you should add a little bit of garden soil or a compost booster in order to help with the break down. Make sure that your turn your compost pile several times a week to keep up the oxygen flow and to help things break down very quickly. You’ll also need to keep your compost pile a little damp, but not soaking wet; you’ll find that this will encourage a good breakdown of the components involved.
If you are interested in compost details you should check out “Worlds Best Compost” for more information .
Lynne
Hi Lynne,
Oh yes, we do this one too. That’s 2 brownie points!
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Excellent information. I think it is also helpful when we purchase paper products from the store to try and buy compostable products or recycled. These can also go into the compost pile rather than the garbage. Composting going full circle. I love it.
Hi Laura,
Yes newspaper and paper products can be used in you compost, however it is better to shred it or cut it up into small pieces first. There area also a bunch of ways to improve your compost for your own organic garden.
I’ve been reading up and planning for building my green house and shelves for different levels of raised bed gardens for when we move to our place in Arkansas. Then too investigating what composting system will be best with the most nutrients for my food garden vice what I need for spreading in the flower gardens and in the yard. I’m finding out there are some big differences.
I think I’ll do some homework and come up with what compost material is best for different used and then write a book. Then I can include my plans for my green house and multiple raised bed levels.
Oh Boy! More work for me to fit into my schedule!!
Jay