Composting at home is one of the easiest, most environmentally friendly things a homeowner can do. The composting process is virtually effortless, and a composter requires minimal maintenance. Compost can be defined as, “A mixture of decaying organic matter, as from leaves and manure, used to improve soil structure and provide nutrients.” This can all be easily done from your very own backyard!
When composting, you will always want to make sure that you at least have both “browns” and “greens” in your composter. Browns are generally bulky substances that promote aeration, and greens are usually very high in moisture and balance out the dry nature of the browns. Browns are items that are carbon-rich ingredients like leaves, hay, shredded paper, twigs, and branches. Greens are nitrogen-rich ingredients that will help attract compost producing organisms. These would be items like vegetable and fruit wastes, eggshells, grass clippings, and any other yard waste that is chemical free.
Truthfully, anything can be composted except human, cat, and dog waste. However, unlike commercial composting sites, we have to worry about bad odors and pests. There are many different items you can add to your composter such as lawn clippings, fruit and vegetable peels/rinds, tea bags, eggshells, coffee grounds, leaves, woodchips, paper towel, and even shredded newspaper. Some things that you DO NOT want to put into your composter would be any chemically treated wood products, meat, bones, pet waste, dairy products, peanut butter, etc. It is crucial to be careful what you put into your composting bin because you do not want to attract any vermin.
Overtime, all of the waste that you have placed into your composter will begin its natural recycling process and start to compress and decompose. Composting is a long process and will take time no matter what kind of composter you choose to use. Regardless of composter type, it is important that you keep your composter in the sun – the sunlight heats the composter and aides in the natural breakdown process.
Once your composting process is complete you will have an earthy, dark, crumbly substance that is excellent for enriching soil. You can use your compost to enrich your garden and to improve the soil around trees and bushes.
Composters come in a number of different sizes, shapes, and colors. To find the composter that will work best for you and your home, please visit Woodland Direct.