Have you ever wanted to compost to save money for your garden and improve your environment, but you haven’t a clue how or where to start? Here is a comprehensive post that I’m sure will help you get started in the right direction!
Composting your kitchen and garden waste is a great way to reduce the amount of trash you dispose of in your garbage can. It is also a great way to get your kids involved. When you compost you will develop a free start of rich compost that will do wonders for your garden. It can also help to lessen global warming.
How does composting help to slow down global warming?
When sent to the disposal area, organic material is squeezed under immense amounts of other types of waste. Because it’s trapped underneath, organic waste does not have the ability to obtain air, therefore restricting the waste from being able to decay properly. Instead of decomposing, methane gas is formed which contributes to global warming.
Setting up your compost bin
It is important to create or purchase a compost bin. You can also make your own. Most people use pallets or other containers that can easily be obtained from most local businesses. Compost bins can be bought from the majority of nurseries, landscaping companies, and even online. Check with your local recycling agency or local greenhouses.
Where do I place my compost bin?
The next critical step is to decide where you wish to place your compost bin. This is critical, as it can affect the long-term condition of the compost that is produced. Place your bin in a well-drained area that has excellent access to sunlight. The drainage will allow excess water to drain out of the compost. Putting the bin in a sunny location enables the composting process.
What can I put in my compost bin?
Just about anything can go into your compost bin. These are categorized into greens and browns. Greens provide moisture and nitrogen that are quick to rot. Greens can be grass cuttings, vegetable peelings, leaves, fruit, tea bags, spent coffee and coffee filters and weeds.
Browns take longer to break down but provide pockets of air, along with filament and carbon. Some examples of browns are cardboard boxes (they need to be cut fairly small), ripped up newspapers, toilet and paper towel tubes, crushed eggshells, and small tree limbs. You can even compost Q-Tips, as long as the stem isn’t plastic!
What makes a good quality compost?
To make great compost, you need to monitor your greens and browns. The process is simple: If it’s too moist, add browns. If it’s too dry, add more green. Please note that you should not put fecal matter from cats and dogs, as they usually eat foods rich in proteins. Cattle, sheep, goat, and chicken manure are excellent additions to compost. Here is a more in-depth article on composting.
What’s the length of time to wait until I can use my compost?
This will differ depending on the mixture of organic material that is placed into the compost bin. Circumferential conditions and the weather are also a factor. As a general rule, it should take between 6 and 9 months before you can use your compost. To kickstart the process, there is a mixture you can make, and it’s simple. The items you will need are:
5-gallon bucket (free from chemicals. You can buy them cheap on Amazon)
6 ounces of beer
Ammonia
12 ounces of soda, not diet
2 gallons of warm water
By adding beer to the mixture, you’re adding yeast, which speeds up the decaying process. Ammonia contains nitrogen, which will provide the necessary shot to break down leaves and other components of your compost. Extra sugars and microbes are added when you include soda to the mix. Add water to the mix and pour over your compost and stir thoroughly with a shovel or rake.
Once your compost is ready, and you’ve added it to your garden, you will soon have a bountiful harvest!
I hope that this post has given you the knowledge and confidence to start your own compost bin!
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rochelle haynes says
this is looking good nice garden
Mya Murphy says
Living in a condo.. I can’t do this. ? I miss my garden.
Rog Willis says
You may not be able to compost, but a tower garden might be the perfect fit
Claire says
My Dad is a keen gardener, in fact a retired professional gardener. But he has never got in to composting.
I think i might share this with him as it would be really valuable. Plus I have just had to buy him more compost and drop it on his drive to keep him busy during lockdown x
Rog Willis says
You’re already disposing of garbage. Why not return it to the ground in the form of compost? It’s a sound decision and cost-saving!
Becky says
My mother in law has just bought a composting bin because they are not emptying our green bins at the moment. I’ll let her know about the solution you have suggested above for quicker decomposition
Jennifer says
When I was a child, my parents always had a compost in their garden. I don’t know why I’ve stopped
Rog Willis says
Even though we’re living in a hotel for the moment (house is being built from a fire in 18), I’ve been accumulating things that I can compost. I’ll be taking those things to the house each week, as I’m on papa duty, watching my grandkids.
Rog Willis says
It’s never too late to start up again! It’ll be ready next spring for your garden!
Sim @ Sim's Life says
I’ve considered composting before but never truly looked into it properly. I’m liking the sound of the mixture to speed up the process, because 6-9 months seems like ages! Sim 🙂
Rog Willis says
The idea to begin composting I credit my son and his family. They compost quite a lot of the things they can, as they have a big garden. It saves them money in the long run
Barrie says
This is good info to know! I always wondered how to start a compost!
Rog Willis says
I’m happy you found it useful!
Tara Pittman says
I just started a compost. I need to try that kick starter recipe.
Rog Willis says
I can’t wait to try it myself!
Lisa Joy Thompson says
I’ve never had much of a garden and have never composted, but at our next house I’d love to have a big garden! I’ll have to look into composting. Thanks for the info.
Rog Willis says
The way I feel about it is I’m just going to throw the stuff away. I might as well put it to good use!
Rebecca Smith says
This is so helpful! We’ve been talking about composting recently and noticed the previous tenants left a compost bin so were thinking about the next steps.
Rog Willis says
You’re already a step ahead!
Amy Desrosiers says
We have two composting barrels that swivel to mix our compost. One barrel is a little ahead of the other. I love composting our scraps because its green and helps the planet little by little.
Rog Willis says
You’re ahead of the curve!
NANCY says
Helpful information. Thanks for sharing.
Rog Willis says
You’re more than welcome!
Celebrate Woman Today says
I love the post. I need to do composting. We are very heavy on the recycling and doing the right things for the environment. Composting will be the next thing.
Rog Willis says
I think that is so awesome! When we move home, I want to do as much recycling as I can!
Rog Willis says
You’re welcome! I’m glad you found it useful
Fatima Torres says
I was looking into composting the other day. It helps minimize waste at home as well.
Rog Willis says
Absolutely! We’re just adding to the landfill when we could be getting something beneficial out of our garbage
Liam | Whatthedadsaid says
A very interesting read, i haven’t done composting before and this has been very insightful, and I’m keen to try it for our garden.
Rog Willis says
I appreciate your comment and that you found the information useful
Alicia Hewitt says
I’ve been composting for so many years. I learned a different way reading your post. I’m going to try your way and see how I like it. Thank you for sharing.
Rog Willis says
I’m glad you got some good information!
Catalina says
My parents have a little garden and it will be very useful for them to know these info!
Rog Willis says
I’m happy that you are sharing this information with them!
Samantha Donnelly says
My dad has a home compost, it is such a great idea and gets rid of waste that can be used to help with your garden
Rog Willis says
That is absolutely right!
Yeah Lifestyle says
I have just got into gardening but am clueless when it comes to composting as I never realised how important it was to the environment or helping to reuse waste.
Rog Willis says
Yes, it’s very important to the environment! The more I read about composting, the more I’m committed to doing my part to help our environment. If I can limit the trash I’m sending to the dump, the better it makes me feel. Not to mention, the money I’ll be saving on things I’d need to nurture the soil every year!
Melanie williams says
Haha this is good timing. We have literally just been discussing this the other day, so will give it a go x
Rog Willis says
Awesome! I wish you the best of luck in composting and gardening!
Neha says
Rog this is so informative and so good at the moment. I need to set some time aside to make this bun. Seems like a step towards being kind to the environment
Rog Willis says
If we can do our part while benefitting in more than one way, I’m all for it!
Monica says
I remember house sitting for my friends and having to turn their huge compost bins. I would love to start doing this for our garden.
Rog Willis says
I think you’ll be impressed, and a sense of pride, knowing that you’re actively contributing to the environment and providing food for your garden!
Rowena Corderoy says
I love gardening but I’ve never considered making my own compost. This is really straightforward to follow and a great activity to do!
Rog Willis says
I think it is too! If you have kids, they’ll like to be an active participant in helping you, plus they’ll learn something!
Peggy Nunn says
Thank you for the information. It really helps me understand composting.
Sally Akins says
I’ve started doing a bit more in the garden and was thinking of setting up a compost bin so this is really useful information
Rog Willis says
I’m glad you found the info useful! Happy composting!
Rhian westbury says
I’ve never really thought about composting much but that’s probably because I’ve never had my own garden before. This may come in very handy when we’re in our new place as our garden is our 2021 project x
Rog Willis says
I think you’ll appreciate the “food” you’re providing to your garden!
Antoinette M says
I found this post very helpful. Maybe we should start composting. Thanks also for that recipe.
Riah Wemple says
This is great information, especially for right now. Our trash bins, recycling and compost bins haven’t been running since the virus hit. This is a great idea to start composting until the garbage services start running again!
Rog Willis says
I was not aware your garbage services weren’t operating! All the more reason to get started!
Laurie Nykaza says
I love all the great information given to get started. I had not idea where to start in doing this. My neighbor did it and she loved it. Now that were here at home its a great protect to start since i garden every day. Good recycle project too with everything you put into it that would go in the trash.
Rog Willis says
I personally think it’s a great way to feed your garden, and it’s fairly cost effective
Tara L says
News to me with all this composting. They have a very composting in Whole Foods Market. It gets confusing to me at times.
Rog Willis says
A lot of people around where I live compost. Most local greenhouses and farmers will know what to do to get you started.