All About Composting and How to Get Started
Many people are growing into the realization regarding how something needs to be done to protect the environment, but are frustrated on how many of the major decisions impacting it are handled by governments. Getting involved in protecting the environment also involves those little steps that you can take which can add up to something more significant. A great example of this is composting.
What is Composting
Composting is a process where organic material is kept and allowed to decompose into soil which is then utilized in a garden or for other use. Any sort of organic material can be used that decomposing including paper, banana peels and other food waste, and animal by-products, though homeowners tend to concentrate on several types of food waste to allow for an more efficient and effective compost pile.
Items like plastic and metal cannot be composted as they can seep harmful chemicals into your decomposing soil with various ill effects. To understand fully what compost is it is a good idea to start with an understanding of what is Composting.
Benefits of Composting
When you throw away your garbage it ends up in a dump. When you Compost, you remove the organic components of the garbage and reduce the overall yield of the waste you are looking to throw away. This reduces the pressure on municipalities to process and store the garbage and helps to reduce the global footprint of your home. While organic material will decompose in a dump just like in your compost pile, in a dump the decomposed organic material can become contaminated and not be able to be reused productively.
If you have a garden you can reuse your compost in the garden and save money on fertilizer. Your garden yield is often better with compost added to it and you can save money on your garden. Better yet, you can appreciate giving back to the community by reducing the global footprint that you have.
Composting Equipment – Do you need it?
You do not need any equipment to compost, but many people find that it is easier to use a compost bin. If you choose not to use compost bins then you can simply use a corner of your yard, add your Organic material to the soil, and be sure to turn on over this organic material to properly mix it into the soil.
However there are some side effects to not using the compost bin. The most notable side effect is the smell of the compost. When organic material decomposes it smells and also has an unattractive look. You can also quickly become disorganized and unlikely to simply dump garbage into your yard and for that reason many people will invest in a composting bin.
There are many different types of composting bins out there. Many of the best ones are made with a high density PVC plastic which protects the compost material from the light but allows it to breath. A good composting bin allows you to easily turn it so that the organic material can you come mixed up and more evenly decomposes. A good compost bin will also prevent excess water from getting into the bin and slow down the Composting.
What You Need to Know to Start Composting
You don’t need much technical knowledge to make good compost. There are some basics considerations. Be sure to mix food waste with other non food organic material like newspaper to make for a better overall compost. The proper mix is not an exact science but something you will need to consider. Then, have a spot to store food scraps until you are ready to take it to the compost bin.
Getting More Productive with Composting
There are several different steps that you can take to get your compost heap to be more productive. The right compost container can help. You can choose a compost container that has two separate bins which can be independently Spun for a more productive compost. This is because one can be filled with compost while the other side can be harvested thereby improving the output of your compost.
Many people use grubs or other bugs which can quickly decompose your orGanic material. Research into the right rubs for your area. Using bugs to decompose your compost well quickly alleviate the time you need to do so and improve in the matter that you can harvest.
Composting can be an rewarding experience both for yourself and the environment at large. It is easy to compost and can save you money and be a fun project that is good for the environment.