Composting does not just reduce the landfills but it also improves your garden in the backyard. The environmental protection agency defines compost as organic material that’s added to the soil to help in the growth of plants. That means when you apply it you’ve prettier flowers, higher produce and a healthier garden without incurring much cost.

Why should you compost?

This is an effective way of minimizing garbage that you send to the landfills. About 40% of what we throw away in our homes is food scraps and yard waste. That doesn’t only reduce methane gas but also controls trash. The biggest pay-off is that you’ll be left with a richer garden which will give you better produce.

 How do you set up a compost pile?

The first step is to choose an outdoor space for your compost – some 3 square feet will be enough for the bin. If you’re worried about how your compost pile will look, then you’d better opt for a closed bin. You can order a container or even buy one from the local hardware store. Look for a 3 feet diameter bin and one that’s lower than your waist. If your bin is in your yard, use chicken wire or some fencing to protect it from some animals such as raccoons or dogs.

What‘s compostable?

Anything from your kitchen can be added, as long as it’s organic. Those egg shells, cut flowers, coffee grounds, tea bags old newspapers- lots of what you’ve in your house are biodegradable. All you need to do is try and balance the green waste and the brown waste to make the compost healthy. The brown materials produce carbon while the green ones supply nitrogen essential for building cell structure of your soil.

The compost also requires moisture and oxygen, without which the materials will rot and smell. Moisture aids in breaking everything down, and therefore unless the scraps are wet enough, you can sprinkle some water.

What’s compostable?

Dairy products like bones smell and attract pests when you get them into the garbage can. The same happens with fats, pet and oil wastes. If you’ve an insect ridden plant, it could contaminate your compost and thus making it unuseful.

How long will composting take?

The time it takes for your compost to be ready depends on how you prepare it. When you choose the right composting bin and worms from Denju Worms’, then in a few weeks, the food scraps will turn into soil. Use a shovel to turn your mixture every two weeks to ensure a balanced decay. If no progress after a few weeks, then you may need to add more green material and ensure the pile is moist.

If it’s wet and smelly, add some more brown material and turn the compost more frequently. Break also the big materials so the air can flow freely. If your compost smells like soil, then you know it’s ready.

Even the experienced gardeners have a challenge when the soil is overused. Compost improves the PH and adds nutrients and thus your garden becomes productive again.