| Lots of novice gardeners believe that their plants | | | | composting work. While some don't mind working |
| and vegetables only need plenty of water and | | | | on their compost heap out in the open, like in the |
| sunlight in order to sustain a healthy and fruitful | | | | woods or in an open area preferably away from |
| lifespan. However this is not entirely true as plants | | | | prying eyes (I never said it was a pretty looking |
| also need healthy soil rich in nutrients to be able to | | | | process), I suggest looking into a bin or tumbler |
| survive and grow properly. The solution to this | | | | system. There are a couple of compost bin |
| dilemma is composting. | | | | systems that you should consider: the one bin and |
| Now, most of us aren't too sure of what the | | | | multi-bin systems. For the money conscious the |
| heck composting is or what it even entails - I | | | | one bin system is the preferred method since it is |
| know I didn't! An easy way to explain it is | | | | easy and most municipalities even work with |
| composting is a way for us to give back to the | | | | manufacturers to make this method available to |
| earth by using organic materials such as food | | | | the public. In addition, it's easy to move about, |
| scraps, vegetable scraps, grass clippings, leaves | | | | most can hold heat well and is sturdy enough to |
| and manure from grass eaters like cows, sheep | | | | keep rodents and other wildlife out. The multi-bin |
| and rabbits. In general, composting is a | | | | system is for households that produce a lot of |
| wonderfully organic process that benefits your | | | | waste; it generally does the same thing as the |
| garden and the environment tremendously. In | | | | one bin method but it allows you to stockpile your |
| today's article we'll go ahead and talk about the | | | | materials in one bin and in the other when more |
| benefits of composting, what you should and | | | | materials become ready. Both methods take |
| shouldn't compost, and some composting | | | | anywhere from three to eight months in terms |
| systems you should consider investing in. | | | | of ready to use compost. |
| We all know that when anything dies it starts to | | | | Another method you can consider is working with |
| decompose - humans, animals, plants, it's all a | | | | a compost tumbler, which isn't cheap, but it is |
| very natural process. But did you know that in | | | | small if you're working with limited space. Think of |
| turn, the soil becomes very rich in nutrients and | | | | the benefits though: tumblers rotate which keep |
| new life starts to grow? That's the true benefit | | | | your compost aerated and generate heat, which |
| of composting and that's what you want for your | | | | in turn means that you'll have a batch of ready to |
| garden. In addition to improving your soil, it saves | | | | use compost in about three weeks. The wire |
| you money, makes for terrific mulch for your | | | | collector is another option to weigh. Great for |
| garden, and places less burden on landfills. | | | | garnering up quick, ready to use composting, it's |
| Before you start undertaking a large composting | | | | cheap and you can even make one yourself out |
| project, there are a few key things you should | | | | of rabbit wire or field fencing. However, I don't |
| keep in mind, like what you can and can't use for | | | | really recommend it too often because it's easy |
| composting. Let's start with what you shouldn't | | | | for wildlife to break in to and it doesn't hold in |
| compost; this includes weeds full of seeds and/or | | | | heat very well. But the great thing about it is |
| diseases, pesticide infested plants, wood ashes, | | | | after your compost is done and ready, all you |
| lime, barbeque charcoal, meat, grease, bones, | | | | have to do is just remove the wire covering. |
| dairy products, cat, dog and/or human waste, | | | | Do keep in mind the laws of your city. You |
| plastic, metal, glass, branches, wood chunks, | | | | wouldn't think it, but check with your local |
| anything contaminated, and large loads of soggy | | | | government agency to see what your city will let |
| matter. Obviously anything in the aforementioned | | | | you compost, like food scraps and what not. |
| list would have an adverse effect on your | | | | After all being cited for not composting within the |
| compost, or won't decompose properly, especially | | | | legalities of your city isn't very green. And when |
| the bones, but we'll go more into that later on in a | | | | choosing the ideal composting system, think about |
| future article. | | | | your needs, how much waste you can you'd |
| With that said, it's highly recommended that you | | | | regularly add to it, how animal-resistant it is, and |
| use grass clippings, leaves, non-diseased and seed | | | | whether you can easily remove your ready to |
| sprouting weeds, dead plants, food scraps like | | | | use compost. I know it's a lot to think about |
| fruit and veggie wastes, cow, sheep or llama | | | | before you begin, but trust me, it's well worth the |
| manure, straw/hay, coffee grounds, and even | | | | effort. In our next installment I'll go ahead and talk |
| hair and lint when composting. These items break | | | | about the science and art of composting - stay |
| down quick and easily, giving you the end result | | | | tuned! |
| that you're looking for. | | | | *Referenced from Home Composting Made Easy |
| The next thing that you need to keep in mind is | | | | by C. Forrest McDowell, PhD and Tricia |
| where you're going to be doing all of this | | | | Clark-McDowell, 2002. |