Instead of opting for fertilizers that temporarily make your soil fertile. It is a much wiser option to go for the long-term solution. And composting is one long-term solution to make your soil nutrient-rich and your garden full of flowers.
Compost piling provides a long-term solution and it is also not that expensive compared to fertilizers. In compost piling you don’t need to spend a ton. You have to make space or purchase a bin. Then you need to gather your natural organic waste there.
In this organic waste, there can be any material like fruit and vegetable scraps or waste. You can add your coffee grounds, and yard clippings from your garden. And similar wastages in the compost piling. These materials break over time and their decomposition gives rise to a material which is called compost.
In this blog post we will be on a centered approach toward composting, its type tips on how to start the compost pile.So, if you want to get some knowledge regarding this subject stay glued till the very end!
An Overview of What Simply is the Compost?
Simply, compost is a decayed type of natural waste. The compost is utilized as fertilizer to improve the soil quality making it rich in nutrients. It is a great alternative to use instead of chemical fertilizers.
Scientifically it is done by the control aerobic process of decay of the organic waste. The compost is far better than the chemical compost and the reason is its ability to direct.y enrich the soil with nutrients. Therefore it is also looked to as a long-term alternative.
Tips for Setting Up Composting Piles
Setting up a compost pile effectively involves several key tips to ensure successful decomposition and nutrient-rich compost production. Here are detailed tips based on the provided sources:
- Choose the Right Vessel and Location
One of the first tips in the process of composting is choosing the right vessel and the location. You need to select a vessel or a container which is aerated. This is because an efficient amount of oxygen is required to start the composting process.
Try using a vessel which can properly contain the compost pile and avoid pests. A vessel that minimizes the odor is also a plus.
In terms of the place, place it on the bare earth so that the worms and the microbes start the decay process.
- Do Proper Layering
Layering is crucially important for a better compost piling. There are two types of material the green and the brown ones. For proper layering, it is a better approach to alternate the wet green material and the dry brown materials. This way proper layering in the compost is maintained. And the decomposition process is facilitated.
- Adequate Ratio Maintenance
It is also important to understand that the ratio of the materials holds a decent amount of significance. The green and the brown material must be in a ratio of 1:1. This promotes the healthy growth of the microbes. It helps in the healthy activity of the microbes leading to a better compost.
- Focus on Aeration
The aeration must be maintained in the composite pile. You should turn your compost piles regularly. This way the air mixes up with the organic waste and the process of decomposition increases overall.
A better approach is to drill aeration holes in the bin or the container, where you are storing the
compost pile. By this, the aeration is effectively done helping in the decomposition.
- Maintain Moisture and Covering
The other tip is to maintain the moisture in the compost pile. You can do so by watering your compost pile regularly. But make sure not also to overwater the compost pile as well.
The covering of the compost pile is also a must-do job. You can do so with plastic sheeting or wood etc. This is done to maintain the moisture and the heat in the compost pile while the aeration is provided by the aeration holes. Moisture and heat are required for the compost decomposition process.
- Temperature, Turning and Appropriate Harvest
As said in the previous point heat is necessary for the decomposition of the compost pile. Therefore the maintenance of the temperature in the compost pile is crucial.
High temperatures speed up the process of composting therefore its maintenance is important. Apart from that the turning or the flipping of the compost pile also helps mixing the materials properly. The turning of the material incorporates the air and mixes the ingredients, so this way the whale process accelerates.
In harvesting the compost try to ensure that the compost is fully prepared and the composting process is done completely.
And the indication is the dark brown and clumpy structure of the organic waste material. And an earthy smell with it confirms compost’s maturation.
- What to Avoid Putting in the Composite Pile
The last tip is about the things that you must avoid putting in the compost pile.
- Don’t put Meat, any leftover bones from the meals, and the dairy products. These products attract the pest and their decomposition is a very slow process and it is odorous.
- No oily materials must be placed in the composite pile. The fatty substances also attract the pests so it would disturb the compost pile. Moreover, they also ferment creating unpleasant odors.
- Try to avoid any wood or plants that were pesticide-treated. This has the potential to harm the beneficial microbes that are required for the process of composting. Also, avoid any plant which is suffering from any diseases. As it also has a potentially negative impact overall.
- Try to avoid any paper that has any glossy or coated finish. These are toxins so they affect the compost process.
- Coal and ashes may contain some of the harmful compounds so they must be avoided. Moreover, avoid the use of any synthetic material. Â
Benefits of Composting to the Earth
After we have discussed the tips on how to make a better compost. Let’s just analyze the benefits of composting for the Earth.
Fewer Landfills
The composting process reduces the number of landfills. The landfills release methane gas which pollutes the environment as a whole and is a major element in the world’s pollution.
With the process of composting, the waste is utilized and made into compost thus the waste to be dumped in the landfill is reduced. This overall reduces the greenhouse gas emissions.
Less Plant Illness
The use of composting is also linked with fewer plant diseases. Mostly plant diseases are due to the high nitrogen content in the soil by chemical fertilizers. And that leads to various issues like root burn or water deprivation.
But when we take a look at the composting it balances the whole soil nutrients and enhances the fertility. So it helps in reducing the plant illness.
Waste Reduction
With the use of composting, we tend to decrease the waste drastically. Without the composting, the waste that is being produced is not used in any process. So there becomes a need to always treat the waste and make it less dangerous for the environment.
In the treatment of the waste various resources are utilized and various gasses and harmful
chemicals are released into the environment. So overall with the use of composting, we tend to reduce the waste and thus we have to treat less waste overall.
Environment Friendly
Comparing the composting of the organic waste to any other treatment it is a lot more environmentally friendly compared to them. With the reuse or recycling of waste through composting the impact on the environment is reduced thus it is eco-friendly.
It overall reduces the carbon footprint by focussing on the recycling of waste and reusing it for the fertility of the land.
Compost Bin
To do composting you must use a compost bin. The compost bins are used to gather the organic waste overall. And then you can do a composting process with the help of the bin.
Doing so with a bin rather than in the open is a good idea. Because you are more in control of the process and you can regulate the set the parameters and control them.This way you can get a decent compost that is of high quality.
Here are some common types of Compost Bins
1. Stationary Bins: Easy to maintain, suitable for garden waste and food scraps.
2. Tumbling Bins: Rotating chambers for even oxygen distribution, speeds up decomposition.
3. Worm Bins: Host worms for vermicomposting, an efficient composting process.
4. Holding Bins: Low-maintenance, attractive option for managing compost.
5. Tumbling Barrel Composters: Barrel-shaped containers for quick composting, and easy to turn.
6. Multi-tiered Composters: Stacked boxes for different decomposition stages, low maintenance, and faster composting.
