Turning Yard Waste Into Gold.
By Steve Enlow, Fri Dec 9th
Turning yard waste into gold.
Organic Composting
What is Compost?
Composting is the transformation of organic material throughdecomposition into a soil-like material called compost. Insects,earthworms, and bacteria help in transforming the material intohumus. Composting is a natural form of recycling, whichcontinually occurs in nature.
A compost pile is actually a fast-track method of changing crudeorganic materials into something resembling soil, called humus.Compost making is a simple process. Done properly it becomes anatural part of your gardening or yard maintenance activities,as much so as mowing the lawn. Making compost does not have totake any more effort than bagging up yard waste.
Composting is not a mysterious or complicated process. Naturalrecycling (composting) occurs on a continuous basis in ourenvironment. Organic matter is broken down by microorganisms andconsumed by invertebrates. The resulting nutrients are returnedto the soil to support plant growth.
Composting Basics
Keys to successful home composting.
Organic materials: A good mix consists of three parts "browns"(materials such as dead leaves that are high in carbon) and onepart "greens" (such as fresh grass clippings and garden pruningsthat are high in nitrogen).
Moisture: Composting materials should feel moist but not overlysoggy.
Temperature: Compost should feel warm to the touch except in thecold winter months.
Air: To prevent unpleasant odors that can occur when materialsdecompose without oxygen, compost should be turned regularly toensure that air is reaching the center of the pile.
What Do You Need to Home Compost?
All you need to compost is enthusiasm, yard or food waste(except meat or dairy products), and some space. Compost pilesdon't need to be enclosed, although many people use a bin orsimilar enclosure.
Compost bins can be purchased, or you can easily construct onewith common materials such as chicken wire, snow fencing,lumberor used pallets. Other tools that come in handy for compostingare a garden hose, wheelbarrow and common garden tools.
A very simple and easy compost bin can be built
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