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