Composting
Composting is the method of turning organic waste into nutrient-rich food for your garden. Making your own compost is a great way to put nutrients back into your soil and it can also save you money on buying fertilizers. Around 40% to 60% of household waste can be used as compost and will reduce the quantity of waste your household contributes to landfill. Best of all making your compost is free, kitchen and garden waste is all you need to start composting. Chemicals found in commercial fertilizers can have a negative impact on soil can be pricey.
Compost Tumblers
Compost tumblers or rotating compost bins have numerous advantages when compared to old fashioned compost heaps. The Compost tumblers unique rotating design makes them straightforward to turn and keep the contents aerated. All you need to do to mix the compost is simply turn the handle. The sealed barrel keeps any odours in and unwanted pests like rats, cockroaches and mice out. The compost tumbler is the perfect solution for residential backyards as it does not require much space. Another advantage of a compost tumbler or rotating compost bin is they can make compost in as little as 2 weeks. The rotating design aerates and mixes the contents evenly dramatically speeding up the decomposition process.
If you are considering starting your own compost you may be questioning what items can and cannot be used in your compost bin. The best waste to put inside your compost bin is organic raw materials that can be found in the kitchen or garden. Some of the include grass cuttings, leaves, paper napkins, fruit, paper, wood chips, hay, pop corn, pine needles, seaweed, matches, paper towel, potato peelings, coffee grounds, tea bags, news papers, egg shells, plant trimmings, pasta, tissues, tree bark, flowers, pumpkin, tobacco, nut shells, cheese, cardboard, apples, yogurt, peanut shells, bread, cooked rice, breakfast cereal , pickles, raw vegetables, tea leaves, pruning’s, junk mail , egg cartons, magazines & sawdust. Some items that cannot be composted include meat, fish, cooked food, coal, cat litter, pet faeces, disposable diapers, oil, meat, fish, weeds, weed seeds, paint, cigarettes and bones.
Composting Benefits
- Compost assists in producing micro-organisms which are necessary in creating nutrient rich soil
- Composting helps to improve soil structure
- Assists in maintaining the moisture of soil
- Prevents pH imbalance in the soil
- Reduces the amount waste that goes into landfill
- Improves drainage in heavy clay soils
- Improves water retention in sandy soil
- Helps prevent soil erosion
- Reduces the amount of Toxins in your soil
- Promotes the growth of trees and plats
- Reduces greenhouse gases