Knowing what is homemade compost is one of the easiest way to reuse food scraps
We are constantly realizing that our consumption and carbon footprint is getting larger and larger every year. What are you doing to minimize it? Do you recycle? Are you reusing containers? Do you pack lunches to work/school? Do you garden your own vegetables?
Here’s another question you should consider: What is homemade compost?
A great way to reuse your food scraps and yard clippings, composting is a green idea to include in your efforts of reducing your carbon footprint, especially if you have a garden you want to nourish. If you don’t have a garden, maybe you can even share your compost pile with a neighbors garden or city garden.
What is Compost?
Compost is “decayed organic material used as plant fertilizer“. The key word in this definition is Organic. The scraps you add to your compost will ultimately give you specific results.
What tools and equipment do you need?
You don’t need much equipment to make homemade compost, but a good composting drum is a great idea because it keeps your compost in motion, allowing the nutrients to evenly distribute, as well as the oxygen flow is larger.
You can also compost in a large tank, making sure to stir and distribute the nutrients manually. Some prefer to build a wooden box for their compost pile also. A great idea is to plant underneath the drum or elevated box because the liquid that the compost loses is very nourishing to plants!
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What can you make into Compost?
To make a balanced compost pile, you need a good combination of carbon rich materials with nitrogen rich materials. Here is a list of both:
- Carbon-Rich (Brown) Materials: wood shavings, nut shells, coffee grounds, tea bags, shredded paper, pencil shavings, dryer lint, shredded paper napkins, dried grass clippings, potting soil, saw dust…
- Nitrogen-Rich (Green) Materials: fruit and vegetable peelings, egg shells, old pasta, cooked rice, tossed salad, flower bouquets, floor sweepings, pet hair, fruit pits, old bread…
Be sure not to add meat trimmings to your compost. With whatever kitchen scraps you choose to add, make sure they are chopped because the smaller the pieces, the faster the breakdown process.
What to do with Homemade Compost?
If you garden, then you have a direct purpose for your compost!
But what if you don’t have a garden? You can use your new compost in indoor potted plants, as well as window-herb boxes. Feeling generous? Head over to a neighbor that has a garden and gift them with rich compost. Also, check if your city garden would like some of your freshly made compost, surely they will.
More Composting Tips and Tricks
- “Do not compost fats, pet droppings, or animal products. They will attract pests to the pile and can spread disease.”-Composting 101
- “Save the worms. If you find a worm while you’re gardening carefully relocate it to your compost bin. And it will happily work on breaking down your wastes. The more help you have the better!’ –Squidoo
- “Don’t let the compost completely dry out. A compost pile needs moisture to keep the composting process active.”- Compost Guide
References:
How to Compost