Knowledge from Olle Garden Bed: How to Compost at Home to Reduce Waste
Organic waste has a huge negative impact on our environment, which can be reduced by 30% through composting. The following content also has some reference value for raised garden beds.
What is compost and what benefits does it bring?
Composting is described as the natural process of recycling organic materials, such as food residues and garden waste, into natural fertilizers, which can be further used to enrich plants and soil. Composting also creates an ideal environment for the reproduction of organisms that decompose organic matter, such as worms, worms and fungi. This will speed up the process. The result is a quality similar to that of fertile garden soil. Compost is often called "black gold" because it is rich in nutrients. Therefore, it can be reused as a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers, whether for agricultural purposes or in your own garden.
In a word, composting can ensure that less garbage goes into your trash can. Because of its many benefits, it contributes to plant health and reduces the release of methane into the environment. But how do you start composting? Is it possible even without a garden? Simple answer - Yes, we'll show you how.
4 simple ways to get started
1. Collect correct organic waste
First, you need to collect the right organic waste. Here's a simple rule: All things that might attract animals should be kept away from the compost bin. This includes, for example, food cooked in oil or butter, fish, meat or bones.
In addition, the secret of healthy composting is the right amount of "green" and "brown". Green plants provide nitrogen for compost, including food residues, green lawn clipping, kitchen waste and green leaves. Brown with added carbon, including eggshells, coffee grounds, dried leaves or straw. In terms of proportion, experts believe that three to four portions of brown will work on one portion of green. Most importantly, the number of browns dominates.
2. Select appropriate place and compost box
As we said at the beginning, compost is not only suitable for people who have a lot of available space. You can also place the compost bin in any dark, dry place indoors (for example, under a basement or sink). A popular indoor composting method is v aerobic composting. Here, worms and soil microorganisms are used to convert waste into substances composed of worm feces and decaying organic substances. Plastic storage cans, trash cans (plastic or metal) or wooden trash cans with lids are best used as composting containers. In general, an 18 gallon trash can is suitable for families of two to four people.
3. Prepare your compost box for earthworm composting
It is important that the compost container is breathable. To do this, you can simply punch the lid and side of the corresponding container. In addition, please ensure that a good drainage system is provided so that excess water can be drained from the container. First, you can put some newspapers in the container, wet them with a little water, and then add a handful of soil to them.
This is when worms come into play. Eisenia detid or Red Wigglers are perfect for your earthworm compost bin. However, it is better not to try to use the earthworms you find in the garden, because they will only die in your compost box. This is because garbage cans do not provide the best habitat for their survival. As for the number of worms, experts in worm breeding recommend a ratio of 1:1. Therefore, adding a pound of earthworms (equivalent to about 1000 earthworms) to a pound of garbage every day is very effective.
4. Add your food residue and wait for harvest
For quick composting, be sure to cut the food residue into small pieces and then bury it in the bedding. This step allows the worm to complete its work faster. One of the advantages of v ermic composting is that there is no need to turn the compost manually. This is because worms naturally inflate the compost when they turn it over.
To harvest the finished compost, separate the completely composted waste from the partially composted waste and move them to the opposite sides of the trash can. You can also put some composted food in the middle, and then add more food garbage on it. It will take about 2 weeks for the worm to move with the new food to the garbage heap partially composted and continue composting. In about three to four months, you can harvest and use the finished compost. If you can't find its use, please give it to your local community garden.
As you can see, composting is not as complex as it seems at first glance, and it is very easy to implement even in the narrowest spaces. So with a little effort and confidence, you can quickly harvest your own compost and make contributions to environmental protection! Happy composting!
What is compost and what benefits does it bring?
Composting is described as the natural process of recycling organic materials, such as food residues and garden waste, into natural fertilizers, which can be further used to enrich plants and soil. Composting also creates an ideal environment for the reproduction of organisms that decompose organic matter, such as worms, worms and fungi. This will speed up the process. The result is a quality similar to that of fertile garden soil. Compost is often called "black gold" because it is rich in nutrients. Therefore, it can be reused as a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers, whether for agricultural purposes or in your own garden.
In a word, composting can ensure that less garbage goes into your trash can. Because of its many benefits, it contributes to plant health and reduces the release of methane into the environment. But how do you start composting? Is it possible even without a garden? Simple answer - Yes, we'll show you how.
4 simple ways to get started
1. Collect correct organic waste
First, you need to collect the right organic waste. Here's a simple rule: All things that might attract animals should be kept away from the compost bin. This includes, for example, food cooked in oil or butter, fish, meat or bones.
In addition, the secret of healthy composting is the right amount of "green" and "brown". Green plants provide nitrogen for compost, including food residues, green lawn clipping, kitchen waste and green leaves. Brown with added carbon, including eggshells, coffee grounds, dried leaves or straw. In terms of proportion, experts believe that three to four portions of brown will work on one portion of green. Most importantly, the number of browns dominates.
2. Select appropriate place and compost box
As we said at the beginning, compost is not only suitable for people who have a lot of available space. You can also place the compost bin in any dark, dry place indoors (for example, under a basement or sink). A popular indoor composting method is v aerobic composting. Here, worms and soil microorganisms are used to convert waste into substances composed of worm feces and decaying organic substances. Plastic storage cans, trash cans (plastic or metal) or wooden trash cans with lids are best used as composting containers. In general, an 18 gallon trash can is suitable for families of two to four people.
3. Prepare your compost box for earthworm composting
It is important that the compost container is breathable. To do this, you can simply punch the lid and side of the corresponding container. In addition, please ensure that a good drainage system is provided so that excess water can be drained from the container. First, you can put some newspapers in the container, wet them with a little water, and then add a handful of soil to them.
This is when worms come into play. Eisenia detid or Red Wigglers are perfect for your earthworm compost bin. However, it is better not to try to use the earthworms you find in the garden, because they will only die in your compost box. This is because garbage cans do not provide the best habitat for their survival. As for the number of worms, experts in worm breeding recommend a ratio of 1:1. Therefore, adding a pound of earthworms (equivalent to about 1000 earthworms) to a pound of garbage every day is very effective.
4. Add your food residue and wait for harvest
For quick composting, be sure to cut the food residue into small pieces and then bury it in the bedding. This step allows the worm to complete its work faster. One of the advantages of v ermic composting is that there is no need to turn the compost manually. This is because worms naturally inflate the compost when they turn it over.
To harvest the finished compost, separate the completely composted waste from the partially composted waste and move them to the opposite sides of the trash can. You can also put some composted food in the middle, and then add more food garbage on it. It will take about 2 weeks for the worm to move with the new food to the garbage heap partially composted and continue composting. In about three to four months, you can harvest and use the finished compost. If you can't find its use, please give it to your local community garden.
As you can see, composting is not as complex as it seems at first glance, and it is very easy to implement even in the narrowest spaces. So with a little effort and confidence, you can quickly harvest your own compost and make contributions to environmental protection! Happy composting!