The summer is in full bloom, and you are probably already starting to enjoy your outside time with family and loved ones. Interestingly enough, you can improve your outdoor space, vegetation, and garden with something that every household has—introducing: composting!
You may be wondering, why should I compost? Composting is an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective way to turn your waste into nutritional food for your plants and garden. But before you start telling yourself that composting can be time-consuming, laborious, or even smelly, let us dispel those misconceptions. Composting is not at all complicated; all you need is some enthusiasm and this helpful guide.
What is Compost?
Compost is an organic material that people add to the soil to help plants grow, just like fertilizer. You can make compost from uneaten food scraps, inedible parts of food like eggshells and banana peels, and yard trimmings.
There are many reasons to compost. Compost improves the quality of the soil, nourishes plants and food. Composting also eliminates unnecessary waste. When we discard our food scraps into regular trash, it doesn’t entirely compose in landfills, and unfortunately, rarely reaches the soil. Placing your food craps in your own compost allows the organic matter to fully decompose, so you can use it to amend any soil.
What You Need to Start Composting
There are different types of composting and composting methods. Here is what you need to get started.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the basic rule of composting is that you need “green, brown, and water.”
- Browns – materials like dead leaves, branches, and twigs
- Greens – materials like grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds
- Water – to make sure the compost stays consistently moist
Never compost things like meat products or fats, as those will rot.
Whether you live in an apartment or a house with a yard, you will need a container to collect the food scraps throughout the week. Then, to make your own compost pile, you will need a steady supply of “brown” materials high in carbon – dry leaves, pine needles, straw, dried flowers, shredded newspaper, wood chips, paper towels, and mulch should all do the trick.
Next, you will need a big enough bin for your needs, a pitchfork to turn and aerate your pile, and a garden hose to keep your pile damp.
Maintaining Your Compost
To keep your compost happy and thriving, you will need to layer your composting materials like lasagna with equal green and brown parts. Then make sure to add water to keep your compost damp. It should never be dripping. If you notice any large clumps, you can break them up with a pitchfork to speed the decomposing process along.
The next step is to start stirring to introduce oxygen to the compost pile. The microorganisms responsible for decomposing the compost materials need air to survive and thrive when the air level is sufficient.
It is a good idea to check on your pile throughout the week to make sure it has the proper amount of moisture. It would be best if you also stirred the pile at least once a week to ensure proper decomposition.
If you notice that your pile is too dry, it could be a sign that you need more green materials. If the pile develops an unpleasant odor, it means that there are probably not enough brown materials.
Benefits of Composting
If you have a garden or a yard, you may already know that using the compost from your composting pile can help nourish your plants. If you haven’t composted before, give it a try! If you are a city dweller and don’t have any outdoor space, you can still participate in composting.
Community gardens, local schools, parks, and farmers’ markets often have their own composting bin, and you can learn how you could contribute your food scraps to those to help your community!
Immaculate Clean Services in Eldersburg MD is Here to Help
If you are putting your energy into managing your outdoor space or creating a composting pile, let us take care of your home! Immaculate Clean offers friendly and efficient cleaning services that will leave your house spotless and mess-free. If you’d like to learn more about our services or to schedule a cleaning, please Contact us at (410)549-0727 today!
