How Does A Compost Bin Work?
If you're interested in composting but aren't quite sure how it works, this post is for you! We'll explain the basics of how a compost bin works and what you need to do to get started. By the end, you'll have a good understanding of how this green practice can help your garden (or houseplants!) and the environment. Let's get started!
Composting is an environmentally friendly way of reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills. The process uses naturally occurring bacteria and fungi to break down organic materials such as kitchen scraps, yard trimmings, and biodegradable materials into rich soil for use in gardening and/or landscaping.
Composting is easy to do by simply alternating layers of wet compost (green material) and dry compost (brown material), such as leaves, grass clippings, newspapers, or straw. When oxygenated, nitrogen-rich compost is added, it helps create balance for the bacteria and fungi needed for decomposition.
Also adding water helps keep your compost pile moist enough to get decomposing going. By properly managing your compost pile you can reduce the amount of trash sent to landfills while also providing your garden with a natural source of nutrients it needs to thrive!
Types Of Compost Bin
From the earliest days of composting, individuals have been utilizing open-air piles and turning them by hand. Today, however, there are a plethora of options available to suit your individual needs - you can select which method works best for you!
Plastic, barrel-shaped, and rounded compost mixers are my favorite tools for aerating and mixing garden soil. Not only are they highly functional, but stylish too! They lend a unique flair to any backyard space while making it easy to rotate the container with minimal effort.
Beehive composters
This type of composter has grown in popularity, especially amongst Americans, over the past few years. It consists of several bins that are stacked one upon another and as your compost increases, you can make use of the mature material from lower levels.
Worm composters
Vermicomposting is an ingenious way to generate compost via the use of red worms in a worm composter.
Bench-top composters (kitchen, countertop)
Perfect for indoor use! There are two types of these convenient kitchen countertop bins. The first is your traditional, aerated, and heated aerobic composter while the second is a simpler version that requires less maintenance.
The Process Of Composting
The process of composting requires microorganisms found in the ground to break down organic kitchen waste into humus, which is full of fiber, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. To ensure they do their job properly, you must provide them with oxygen as you turn over your compost bin regularly. Thusly, by utilizing this simple yet effective method we can create an abundant source of natural fertilizer for our gardens!
The Benefits of Composting
Composting is an incredibly important and beneficial activity that can help reduce landfill waste, improve soil health and produce nutritious food. The simplest way to start composting is by adding materials such as vegetable peelings, egg shells and fruit ends to a compost bin or pile in a home garden. Through the natural process of decomposition, these organic substances can break down over time to form nutrient-rich soil or compost that can be used for gardening or landscaping. Not only does this process help reduce household garbage, but since this living material retains moisture better than inorganic soil, gardeners need less water for their flowers and vegetables. Compost also prevents nutrients from leaching away during heavy rains and improves soil drainage while aerating it at the same time. Those who decide to start composting will not only be helping the environment but will soon have access to a source of natural plant nutrition required for lush gardens and abundant harvests.
How to start Composting at Home
Composting at home is easier than one would think. To get started, gather a large bin or container and fill the bottom with straw for drainage. Then begin collecting paper and food scraps such as egg shells, coffee grounds, vegetable trimmings, and fruit rinds to create your compost pile. Once you have enough material, top your compost pile with soil and use an old garden fork to turn it regularly. Be sure to keep the bin in a shady area so that it does not dry out too quickly but also does not become too wet from the rain. With the right care and attention, you can successfully start composting at home and make your own nutrient-rich compost for your garden plants!
What can be composted
Composting provides a simple and efficient way to reduce our environmental footprint, returning organic matter to the soil and helping our planet. The materials that can be composted are surprisingly vast: fallen leaves, grass clippings, vegetable scraps and food waste, basement lint, paper towels and napkins, coffee grounds, tea bags, and many more organic materials as well.
In addition to household items, it is also possible to compost some parts of plants typically discarded such as the tops of root vegetables and egg shells. Composting would not be complete without soil-enriching additions like Epsom salt and corn meal. With the diversity of materials accepted into composting bins, anyone no matter where they live can do their part in minimizing their impact on the environment.
Tips for successful composting
Creating a successful compost pile can be relatively easy and incredibly rewarding. To start, your compost pile should be located in an area with ample sunlight and good airflow. Aerating the compost pile and adding moisture as needed will help promote good decomposition, as well as having just the right ratio of “browns” (dried leaves, branches, etc.) to “greens” (grass clippings, fruit/vegetable scraps).
And for those looking for a more active composting method, turning over the material regularly or creating layers to attract various organisms will provide the extra boost needed to produce nutrient-rich compost. Making small tweaks to an existing system may even produce better results! With these tips in mind, almost anyone can create a sufficient and successful compost heap that generates high-quality material ready to enrich any garden soil.
