Composting…in the city… Yes!
Composting in the City
Composting is nature’s way to recycle. “Compost” is the dark, rich, organic soil that returns nutrients back to the soil. It is more of a soil conditioner than a fertilizer. Even if you don’t have plants that need compost, you can dump the nutrient rich soil outside to boost your neighborhood greenery!
All that’s necessary is to provide a natural balance of carbon (found in dried, brown materials like wood chips and dead leaves) and nitrogen (found in green materials like fruit and vegetable scraps, lawn clippings, and manure), add a little air by periodically turning the compost pile, and moisture by occasionally sprinkling some water onto the pile. The rest happens naturally.
Why Compost?
Composting has many benefits for the environment and for the consumer:
Benefits for the Environment: Composting, helps reduce the amount of waste going into landfills. Compost helps build good soil structure that aids in preventing erosion and reduces the need for potentially harmful chemical fertilizers.
Saves you Money: Creating and using compost reduces fertilizer and soil amendment purchases. Composting can also lower water and garbage bills and reduce the need for lawn and leaf trash bags. Imagine that instead of buying expensive commercial soils for your garden or flowers or containers, you created fertile soil just by using your trash?!
Saves Water: Composted soil holds more moisture for longer periods of time which reduces the need for frequent watering.
Composting Methods
The secret to successful composting is to select an approach and technique that suits your needs and lifestyle. When done properly, a compost pile will have a sweet and musty smell like fresh earth from the forest floor. Following are three common methods for composting:
Active Composting: Heat is generated by maintaining proper moisture levels and turning the pile with a pitchfork on a regular basis (weekly). This method requires a little more effort, but the compost process happens very quickly.
Passive Composting: Turning is done less frequently resulting in a slower composting process. Manufactured bins are ideal for this method.
Worm Bins: This method is generally used for composting kitchen scraps. It is also good for apartment dwellers and those with little space. Earthworms do the work here, quickly turning food scraps into castings, a high quality soil amendment.
Compost Bins
Compost bins are available at many nursery and hardware stores. In keeping with the Shop Local support, go visit Farmer D Organics. You will find composting supplies and may even be able to sign up for a composting class. Compost bins can also be purchased online, special ordered from manufacturers, or made from materials found around the home. Check out Farmer D in action in an intown garden! Yummy fun!
Share Your Composting Experience! Comment Below.
