Stop, Drop and Compost!

I have become obsessed with composting. So much so, when I visit my mom I leave with her ‘garbage’ and I always complain if I found out that she threw away something that could have been composted.

 Composting is easy and there are several reasons why you should start your own compost today. 

 THE BENEFITS OF COMPOSTING 

Whether you are an indoor or outdoor gardener, everyone has room for composting especially as composting can divert as much as 30% of household waste away from the garbage can (fewer trips to the garbage!).

Composting offers a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers, soil conditioners and bagged manure- saving you money! Compost enriches soil health, plants grown in healthy soil look better, produce better and have a much greater ability to fight off pests and diseases. 

 Compost also builds soil structure; improves drainage; creates more water-holding ability. Feeding your plants well will improve your own diet as plants grown in depleted soils have a reduced nutrient content.
  
Learning what to compost can be tricky, follow this guide to help you remember what to add to your compost!



image via Shutterstock

TIP - add garden soil to your compost. A layer of soil will help to mask any odors, and micro-organisms in the soil will accelerate the composting process.

COMPOST
Fruit, watermelon rinds, vegetables, fruit and vegetable scraps, corn cobs, old spices, egg shells, dirt, sawdust and wood shavings, leaves and tree trimmings, hedge/grass clippings, house plants, wood ashes, wood chips, straw & hay, coffee grinds, coffee filters, tea bags, nuts and shells, shredded newspapers and papers with no color, dryer lint, hair, cotton balls, Kleenex, paper napkins and paper towels, kitchen and toilet roll tubes, cardboard

AVOID
Do not compost meat, bones or fish scraps (they will attract pests), perennial weeds (they can be spread with the compost) or diseased plants. Do not include pet waste like cat litter, plastic/metals/foils, grease or oil, dairy products or colored paper. Banana peels and orange rinds may contain pesticide residue and should be kept out of the compost.

Finally, when your compost is ready, it will look like soil–dark brown, crumbly and smell like, well, dirt and will be ready for planting!



Check out our next blog on DIY composting bins and be sure to share your composting journey with us in the comment section below.  

Comments

  1. Christeon RomainNovember 26, 2017 at 10:09 AM

    My grandma always made us keep the old vegetables and fruits for her to throw in her compost. She 2 big barrels outside in the back. Don't think i'll do quite that, but will definitely do a bucket or 2.
    Thank you for the tips.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rogue Gardening November 26, 2017 at 8:14 PM

    Stick to what works for you and the space you have to work with!

    ReplyDelete

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