What is composting and what possibilities does it offer? Eco-lifestyle, which is worth taking interest in
Garden owners collect a lot of plant waste every year. At first glance, it may seem that they cannot be used in any practical way. However, the reality is quite different. By collecting dried branches or flowers, you are able to get something useful! Every autumn we face the problem of constantly falling leaves, which must not be burned, and on the other hand, few people are able to find enough space for them. You can always give up raking, but will our lawn still look so good? Certainly not - in such situations composting is irreplaceable!
What is composting and compost? Clarification of basic terms
One of the biggest problems facing the world is the frighteningly large amount of waste. In this aspect, the main point to note is that discarded bio-waste is a kind of difficulty for disposal. Fortunately, there is a beneficial way to deal with this challenge - we are talking, of course, about the production of compost. Before we go on to detail its advantages and the possibilities it offers, we need to thoroughly understand the key points of the topic.
What is composting all about?
Implementing eco-friendly measures into your life does not at all require us to make purchases - the beauty of ecology lies in being able to make the most of what we already have. For this reason, it's worth figuring out what composting is and what exactly it involves. Well, in the simplest terms - it is a method of processing organic waste in such a way as to obtain valuable fertilizer from it. It may seem rather strange, but this very product is very popular and quickly disappears from store shelves, despite the fact that each of us is able to "produce" it ourselves.
Fertilizer is often necessary to fertilize the soil in a pot or garden and thus allow plants to grow properly. However, we would like to sensitize you in a way to the composition of products. You need to remember that even if something is specified as fertilizer, it does not at all mean that it was created in an all-natural way, whereas if you make it yourself, you are 100% sure.
Compost - what is it?
Compost is the result of composting, that is, the just obtained organic fertilizer, formed from plant residues. Its obtaining is possible thanks to microorganisms, which are responsible for the fermentation of waste, and enrich it with valuable nutrients. If your flower does not want to grow or the soil in your garden is not suitable for cultivation, you can use the properties of fertilizer - its effectiveness is sometimes extremely surprising, and importantly, it costs nothing! You don't have to invest a penny to get compost, plus you can manage to use it yourself.
Ecological straw straws with a length of 20 cm and a diameter of 4-6 mm, thanks to the fact that only wheat was used to produce them, you can even use them for home composting.
What are the advantages of composting?
Compost created in your own garden from natural waste is fully organic and thus ideal for enriching the soil with the nutritional values desired for plants. What's more - it's an excellent way to consciously and responsibly manage leftovers from which we would not be able to create anything else useful. Deciding to compost, you don't have to worry that store-bought ready-made fertilizers also have chemicals in their composition that are harmful to our health and the ecosystem.
What can be composted?
Fans of ecological solutions and practitioners of zero waste will be happy to know that we can compost almost anything - both decorative plants, which serve as a form of decoration for our garden, and edible ones. To make it much easier for you to get started, we have compiled a list of the most common products used to create compost. So - what can be composted?
- Vegetable and fruit leftovers.
- Dried flowers.
- Fallen leaves.
- Cut grass.
- Weeds that do not have seeds.
- Straw and hay.
- Shredded branches.
- Algae and silt.
- Tea and coffee grounds.
The last subsection needs some elaboration, because it is worth knowing that using grounds for composting will result in attracting earthworms. And while this may sound rather strange, it is good news! The presence of this species of ringworm has an excellent effect on the quality of the soil, if only due to the corridors they create, which contribute to soil aeration.
What you especially need to watch out for are plastics in particular - don't let them get into your organic composter.
Eco-friendly products that can be composted - disposable plates, cups, cutlery and much more!
Considering that natural waste is suitable for compost, what would you say to use biodegradable disposable packaging for it as well? You will probably find this hard to believe, while in the offer of SlowPack ecological wholesaler, the available assortment is created exclusively from eco-plastics, thus making it not only completely safe for our health and the environment, but also a significant part of it is decomposable even in a home composter!
Basic mistakes made when creating a composter
There are situations in which, although we know what composting is, we set about it in the wrong way or, worse, use the wrong products to create fertilizer. We have put together some important tips for you to avoid the most common mistakes.
- Do not add plant waste that has been diseased, as well as weeds with seeds.
- Also avoid putting walnut shells in it - their decomposition time is very long.
- Do not allow water to linger in the compost pile - its presence, can make the compost rot.
- The following are also unsuitable for compost: animal products and fats, hides, bread and ashes.
- Do not use uncrushed material, and do not pile it in thick layers - there must be air flow.
- Don't place compost in pits or tanks that are impervious to oxygen.
Are you organizing a picnic or perhaps offering take-out meals to your customers? Be sure to get a set of bamboo cutlery with a napkin, which is perfect for hot as well as cold dishes.
Garden composter - how it works and how you can create your own natural fertilizer
Proper composting is not at all complicated. One of the most important steps can be considered the selection of a suitable place for storing plant waste - it should be shaded, sheltered from the wind, and at the same time with a ground that is well permeable. Therefore, it is worth choosing a small hill, on which we will place a wooden frame created by ourselves. When looking for the ideal location, it is also worth considering the comfort of neighbors - probably no one would like the smell of fermenting leftovers in the house.
How to make your own compost? A quick step-by-step guide:
- Arrange branches on the bottom of your compost pile as a substrate to release excess water.
- The next layer should be last year's compost, but if you don't have one, go ahead and use garden soil.
- Next, pile up the plant waste you have in layers.
- Some people also practice pouring water over the compost, while this is not necessary.
- Remember to mix the dry layers of compost with the wet ones every few weeks.
Eco cane container with 360 ml dip container is a great alternative to plastic products, which, in addition to destroying the environment, are also a danger to ourselves.
Other ways of composting - something for block dwellers and more!
It would seem that the way of composting is one and unchangeable, while nothing could be further from the truth! Everyone is able to create their own compost no matter where they are, while it is worth keeping in mind the comfort of those around us.
Compost in bags
If you would like to produce your first compost, but without setting up a traditional composter right away, know that you can confidently use an alternative, but equally effective, solution - bags. Put your green waste in them, then tie the bag into a knot. In the case of airtight bags, you should make some holes with your own hands.
Miniature composter on the balcony
Residents of blocks of flats, also can make their own small composter with a lid and ventilation holes, or reach for ready-made products of this type, which we are able to find in stores. The key in this case is to create the structure in such a way that no unpleasant odors come out from inside, which could disturb the neighbors.
Don't want to pack your child's breakfast in a plastic and thus harmful plastic bag any more? A very good decision! Kraft paper breakfast bagpackaged in 1,000 pieces, in addition to being a safe and environmentally friendly solution, it is also suitable for the backyard compost pile!
Compost - how long do we need for it to be ready?
When do you know that the compost is ready? This is the key question that arises in the mind of anyone who has decided to create their own organic fertilizer. Well, the matter is as follows - its maturation time usually takes about 16-18 months. On the other hand, if conditions are favorable, you can use it as early as 9 months and in occasional situations even faster! The finished compost is characterized by its dark brown color and uniform texture, and even a pleasant smell of earth.
Anyone who cares to explore other ecological topics, as well as to implement environmentally friendly solutions into their lives - we encourage you to check out our blog, as well as the product offerings of ecological wholesaler SlowPack.
See other posts:
How much plastic decomposes? Numbers that can shake the world
Bread dough - not just for bread!
Ecology in business, or what measures are companies implementing to protect the environment?
Ecotourism, or how to travel to protect the climate?
Ecological fashion for everyone, or three eco trends worth knowing
Impact of air pollution on human health