A quick start guide for novices on composting.
How to treat food waste?
By using a composting system it is possible to reduce the food waste in your home.
Composting is the breakdown of organic matter in a controlled manner by microorganisms, fungi, and other organisms to produce compost.
Organic materials waste such as food scraps, grass clippings, or manure can be decomposed into nitrogen-rich materials. Perfect for your garden beds or vegetable garden to enhance plant growth.
Table of Contents
What are the benefits of composting?
Regularly taking your kitchen waste out to your compost bin will go a long way in preventing it from ending up in landfills.
Did you know that Americans throw away 25% of the food they purchase that ends up as landfill waste?
Imagine all the uneaten, rotting food left to decompose in your bin and contaminating your soil when you could have turned it into nutrient-rich fresh compost to be used to grow your own food.
What type of composting bin should I use to start?
There are many different types of composting bins available on the market, each with its own unique design and way of working.
Mesh bottom:
This is not an option for a bin that will be used around pets or small animals as they can get caught in the mesh.
Eco-bin:
this is a good option to use if you can’t build or don’t have access to tools. This unit comes with an aeration system, which means odors will not be produced and it also has wheels for easy moving.
Tumbler bin:
these types of bins are great for larger quantities of waste and can be turned to anaerobically decompose the organic material.
- Twin chambers: Two separate chambers allow one side to finish composting while leaving the other side available to add fresh wastes; Constant alternation of the two sides will create an uninterrupted stream of nutritious compost
- 360⁰ Tumbling Design: The rotating design prevents you from digging or mixing the pile by hand; And the deep fins on eight panels make it easier to turn the compost bin
- Excellent Aeration: Air vents can make the air fully circulate and will not cause an explosion due to excessive internal pressure; Deep fins can better break the clumps, which is conducive to the full fermentation of oxygen
- Sturdy & Durable Construction: Constructed of premium metal frame and high-quality pp plastic body, this tumbling composter is corrosion-resistant, weathering-resistant, sturdy, and durable for long-lasting service life
- Garden Gloves Included: The gloves that not only protect your hands from injury, but are also waterproof, making them easy to clean; With 4 durable ABS plastic claws for easy digging, planting and other gardening work
Start your compost pile:
Starting a compost pile can be as easy as using an old bin when you’re not recycling, and filling it with grass clippings, leaves, food scraps, and other organic materials. Just make sure the bin is in full sun so that it can break down faster. But don’t throw anything in there you would not put into a garbage disposal, such as bones or meat.
How do I build my own compost bin?
Building your own DIY compost bin is much cheaper and gives you great satisfaction when you see it working. There are several DIY composting projects out there, but a simple and easy-to-build compost bin is one that uses wire mesh, like chicken wire, to form a container.
The easiest way to start is by lining the bottom with some newspapers or old cardboard and then filling the bin with brush. Next comes the organic matter in layers about 4″ deep being careful not to add large pieces of wood as they will remain in the bin.
Seasonal changes affect the composting process, so you need to monitor your compost pile and add more nitrogen-rich materials or carbon-rich materials to balance it out depending on whether your pile is too hot (nitrogen-rich) or cold (carbon-rich).
You can make the whole process of composting easy at home by getting one of the compost bins or tumblers available on the market.
Composting is great for your plants and can even be used to create your own potting mix, so get started today!
Also worth reading: Small Things to Paint for beginners that are easy things to paint
Why do you compost?
Composting with care is more than simply a good idea: It’s an excellent one. Composting allows for the breakdown of organic matter into rich fertilizer soil. Composting has also been recognized for its environmental advantages.
Types of composting
Cold Composting may simply take up some yard waste or a piece of organic waste in your garbage. Hot composting involves you taking a bigger role – but you gain faster processes. Vermi-compost is produced by worms. There’s a lot of nitrogen in the casting of releasing worms, which they consume after eating your food waste.. You can’t use just any old worms here but you want redworms. Redworms for compost are inexpensive. They can be purchased online.
What to compost?
Composting is a great way to reuse things that are in your fridge. It’s simple to keep these containers at home for disposing of material for compost. You can make your own compost pile in a container either indoors or outdoor.
Test your garden: You should think twice before putting food scraps such as citrus peals onion and garlic in the compost pile. It is thought this material repels the earthworms that are crucial parts of our garden.
Grass clippings, leaves, and pine needles are all good for your compost pile.
Add some kitchen scraps like banana peels, coffee grounds, and filters, eggshells (crushed), fruit scraps & vegetable scraps.
What you can put in your bin
If you want to put it into your compost bin two types of organics are available in the form of greens and browns.
Generally, Green materials are wet materials rich in nitrogen. Brown materials are dry and rich. Meat, fish, eggs, and bones can be composted using an eating-waste digestion device like a Green Cone.
The layer of surface soil on top discourages pests and odors also. A shovel full of soil introduced many soil organisms to your stack and act as an incubator on top of your compost heap.
What NOT to compost
Be wary of these elements and make a compostable pile. They can make soil smell bad and attract animal and pests. Avoid items that create problems in the garden. On the other hand, you shouldn’t put dairy products in your pile.
This includes milk and cheese. You should also keep meats and bones out of your pile since they will attract pests. Cooked food is bad for compost too. Any type of meat can create a smelly mess and take longer to decompose.
Is it finished yet?
The composting process generally takes between two months and several years to complete so you can use the finished compost. The duration depends on a proper mixture of materials, moisture %, and air. For more information about harvesting, compost use visit the website of Harvesting Compost.
There are many compost bins that use the exact type you use to harvest a particular product. Generally, compost piles can be used with dark brown soil smells earthy, and breaks through in your hand.
Other things to consider
Environmental factors impact the efficiency of the composting process. Feed your compost pile properly.
A compost pile is filled with living microorganisms and if they are in a healthy climate they become more abundant and more active which increases the heat in your compost pile.
The warmer your pile the quicker the composting takes down. Give a stacked compost box in the correct proportion for the proper use and feed the right foods in the wrong WAY.
Also worth reading: An Ultimate Guide to Aluminum Siding Repair: Tips and Tricks
Conclusion
Composting is a great way to reuse things that are in your fridge and kitchen scraps as well as any yard trimmings. It’s simple to keep these containers at home for disposing of material for compost.
You can make your own compost pile in a container either indoors or outdoor. What are you waiting for? Get started composting food scraps and coffee grounds with your own composting pile now that you know some composting basics!
