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Understanding the Benefits of Composting

Photo by Eva Bronzini

 

Composting is a process that helps to break down organic material into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. By doing this, you can improve the quality of your soil and help to create a healthy garden ecosystem. Not only is composting good for your plants, but it is also great for the environment! In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of composting and how you can get started today.

 

To Compost You’ll Need A Bin

To start composting, you will need a bin. You can purchase a bin specifically for composting, or you can repurpose an old trash can or storage container. If you are using a worm composting bin, be sure to drill holes in the bottom and sides of the bin for drainage. Once you have your bin, fill it with equal parts brown and green materials. Brown materials include things like dead leaves, twigs, and wood chips. 

Green materials include things like grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds. You will also need to add water to your bin, as the composting process requires moisture. Be sure to add enough water so that the materials are moist, but not soggy.

 

Composting Prevents Soil Erosion

Composting is an excellent way to prevent soil erosion. By adding organic matter to the soil, you are improving its ability to hold onto water and nutrients. This means that your plants will be better able to withstand heavy rains and periods of drought. Compost also helps to improve the structure of the soil, making it more aerated and easier for roots to penetrate.

If you are concerned about the environment, then composting is a great way to help out. By recycling your organic waste, you are reducing the amount of methane gas that is released into the atmosphere. A greenhouse gas that causes global warming is methane. So by composting, you are doing your part to help the environment.

 

Composting Helps Make Cleaner Oceans

It is estimated that every year, eight million metric tons of plastic end up in the world’s oceans. This is equivalent to dumping one garbage truck of plastic into the ocean every minute! Much of this plastic pollution ends up in giant floating islands of trash, like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This problem is only getting worse; it is estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

So what does this have to do with composting? Well, when we compost our food waste instead of sending it to the landfill, we can help reduce the amount of plastic pollution in our oceans. That’s because when food waste decomposes in a landfill, it produces methane gas. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

When organic waste decomposes in an oxygen-rich environment, like a compost bin, it produces carbon dioxide instead of methane. So by composting our food waste, we can help reduce the amount of methane in the atmosphere and slow down climate change.

Plus, when we compost our food waste, we create a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can be used to grow healthy plants. And as we all know, plants are essential for cleaning the air we breathe and for providing us with the oxygen we need to survive.

So not only does composting help reduce pollution and slow down climate change, but it also helps us grow healthy plants. What’s not to love about that?

 

What Should You Compost?

Composting is the process of breaking down organic matter, such as food scraps and yard waste, into a rich soil amendment known as compost. Compost enriches the soil, helps plants grow healthier, and can even improve drainage in clay soils. While you can purchase compost from a garden center or nursery, it’s easy and inexpensive to make your own.

To get started, all you need is a little space in your yard and some basic supplies, such as a shovel, rake, and pitchfork. You’ll also need something to contain your compost pile, which can be as simple as setting up a few posts and wire mesh or using a commercial compost bin. Once you have your composting area set up, you can start adding materials to it.

Some of the best things to compost are kitchen scraps, such as fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells. You can also add yard waste to your compost pile, including leaves, grass clippings, and twigs. Avoid adding meat, bones, and dairy products to your compost pile, as these can attract animals and cause odors.

As you add materials to your compost pile, be sure to chop or shred them into small pieces to speed up the composting process. You should also periodically turn your compost pile with a shovel or pitchfork to aerate it and help speed up the decomposition process. In general, compost should be ready to use in six to eight weeks.

If you’re new to composting, start with a small pile and add materials to it gradually as you generate them. Once you get the hang of it, you can increase the size of your compost pile to accommodate all of your food scraps and yard waste. With a little effort, you can turn your kitchen and yard waste into a valuable resource for your garden.

 

It Carbonates The Ground

When compost is added to the soil, it carbonates the ground. This process helps to create healthier soil for plants and can also help reduce water runoff and erosion. Carbonating the ground also helps to improve drainage and aeration in the soil. Compost can also help to increase the amount of organic matter in the soil, which is essential for plant growth.

Composting can also help to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills. By composting your kitchen and garden waste, you can significantly reduce the amount of garbage that you produce each year. Composting is also a great way to recycle nutrients back into the soil, which helps to keep our environment healthy.

So, composting is not only great for the environment, but it can also help you save money and reduce the amount of waste you produce each year. What’s not to love about that? Give composting a try today and see for yourself how easy and rewarding it can be. You might be pleasantly surprised by how much you like it!

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