So, why would anyone want to start composting? I mean, it’s just a lot of extra work isn’t it? And its much easier to just chuck the food and veggies scraps in the bin with all the rest.
Fair enough, but so much nutrients that are left on your plate after you’ve finished your meal, and then end up in the trash, has the potential of becoming great plant food for your garden.
Starting a compost heap with those leftover scraps (see my kitchen compost bin post) can provide for a source of organic nutrients that will improve both soil and plant health, soil texture and water retention. and when eventually worked into the garden soil. But, it all seems like a lot work, and what is compost anyway?
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Contents
Compost – Quick Explanation
Composting is a biological process whereby nature, with the help of various small creatures and micro-organisms, breaks down organic matter, the end result of which is compost.
The basis of compost is basically kitchen scraps like veggies and fruits and eggshells (not the skeleton of that t-bone you had for lunch) tree leaves and grass cuttings, bits of twigs and branches (not too big ones).
So, what is a compost heap then?
Well it pretty much does what it says on the box. Self-explanatory, no rocket-surgery here. You set up a bin or crate or some kind of container and start chucking your unwanted food scraps or garden refuse in there. See my compost tumbler post or my large capacity compost bin post for some idea of these containers.
You can maybe cover it with a tarpaulin or something to prevent heavy rain from drenching it too much, though it should be kept a little moist at all times, especially in dry weather.
And then you wait. And add some more scraps. And wait. And stir the heap every now and again (at least once a week) to get some air into it and to mix all the scraps together. This helps to keep the heap from settling too much, which pushes oxygen out of the heap. Composting is an aerobic process since these micro-organisms need oxygen to do their job.
But, most of the process is done and dusted by nature really, which you don’t have to pay money to make happen, since it happens in nature all the time anyway.
Useful Tip : Adding shredded paper to the compost pile will help absorb any smells from the composting process. |
Ok, so what turns the heap into compost?
Nature will do what it does naturally anyway, that is having its little minions do the dirty work to break down organic matter. A myriad small creatures like bacteria and microbes will come knocking at the heap, looking for a job, attracted by the sign hanging outside your compost heap ‘Help Wanted : All creepy crawlies welcome’. After applying, it’s ‘all you can eat’ time for these little crafty critters.
These little busybodies will start breaking down the organic matter in the heap (its all organic matter, unless you chucked your old pair of crocs on there) and in the process they create heat and carbon dioxide. This is why compost heaps are sometimes slightly warm. It simply means those guys are doing their thing.
Then the cavalry arrives in the form of slugs, snails and worms that start snacking on the composty deliciousness and the organic waste these little guys create helps to break the matter down further, and also is in part responsible for the soily texture of the end result.
Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash
What can I throw on the compost heap and what can I not?
Most organic materials are in, but manufactured materials like plastics and metals etc. are out.
Twigs, leaves and grass clippings, eggshells, stalks, nutshells, natural fibre like cotton, and yes even cardboard and paper(though these do not add a whole lot, it doesn’t hurt and the paper helps absorb bad smells). Tea bags and coffee grounds can also go on the compost heap.
Beware of bleached, glossy or colored paper, anything that has heavy traces of pesticides, animal scraps like meat bones etc, ash and coal and big bits of trees and timber (shred these if possible before adding it to the pile). Also do not add pulled weeds. You simply don’t want that anywhere in your garden. Fatty and greasy stuff is also out. As well as kitty litter and doggy doo.
Thanks for reading this basic explanation of composting. Have a great garden day! |