Why Use Food Scraps In Garden Compost Bins
Article by Lynn Porter
Those who enjoy working in their gardens are always looking for ways to beautify their environment. The yard enthusiast loves creating a beautiful environment to spend his leisure time in.When it comes to landscaping and gardening, there are those that like to make their own compost to be used as fertilizer. There are different techniques and methods that people use to create their own compost. From different styles of garden compost bins, or making the compost in a pile on the ground, to the method used for turning the mixture in order for it to breathe. No matter what method is chosen, there is one thing that remains the same when it comes to making compost. The materials or ingredients that are needed to make the compost. All compost is made from natural organic materials. Some of the best things to add to garden bins come right from the dinner table. Food scraps are great sources of nutrients for your compost. The food scraps that should be used are vegetable scraps, fruits and eggshells. Animal products, such as bones and fish, should never be used. Dairy products, like yogurt and butter, should never be put in composter bins. The reason is that the meat products attract animals that are looking for something to eat. They will get into the compost mixture and ruin the garden. Along with fallen leaves, straw, and manure, the compost mixture turns into organic compost that is rich in nutrients that helps the garden grow.Compost is not hard to make, and with good garden compost bins, great compost can be ready for use in about 14 – 21 days. This is a third of the time it would take to make compost without compost bins. The other benefit of using table scraps in garden composting bins is that it is great for the environment. It is a natural way to dispose of waste, by actually using the benefits of the decomposing food to help grow new gardens. Just about any food that has been left over from a meal can be used. Shavings from carrots, potato peels, watermelon rinds, and strawberries, all can be added to garden composters.After all of the food scraps have been placed into the garden composting bins, there are a few things that must be done. The compost mixture must breathe. Aeration is important to the development of the compost. Some garden compost bins have handles on them, to make it easy to rotate the compost. If the garden composter that is being used is not a tumbler, another method will have to be used, such as a pitchfork, or shovel to mix the compost. It is important also, to make sure that the temperature of the compost is correct inside the garden composter. If the mixture is hot in the middle of the pile, it is decomposing properly. Compost mixtures can reach temperatures of 140 – 160 degrees. When it is decomposing at its best rate, the temperature can reach as high as 170 degrees.So, for those who are into making their own compost, the benefits are many. It is great for the environment, and left over tables scraps are put to good use. It is very inexpensive to make, and everybody wins.
This how-to video by the nonprofit group Kitchen Gardeners International (KitchenGardeners.org ) shows you step-by-step instructions for successful organic composting.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
