Composting is a natural process by which organic waste is used for profit. This is because they are transformed into a fertilizer that can be used to nourish crops. Explore in this article how to compost at home and what its benefits are!
In composting, organic matter accumulates in the same place so that it decomposes with the help of microorganisms and animals. Due to its naturalness, it is an economical technique for agricultural activities.
For composting to be successful, it needs to remain in a ventilated, humid space that has a neutral temperature. Some elements that can be used to produce this type of fertilizer are the remains of fruits or vegetables, eggshells and pruning waste.
Benefits of making homemade compost
Much of the household waste contains organic waste that takes time to decompose in landfill, produces methane gas and generates global warming. However, compost ensures that this organic matter does not reach that end and is destined to benefit the plants of the garden of the house.
This aspect helps mitigate environmental pollution, because those wastes that can be used at home stop taking space from the landfill. In addition, it is the ideal option to generate natural fertilizer and avoid the use of fertilizers and insecticides that contain harmful chemicals.
The process generates multiple benefits in the natural habitat of the house. With compost, the soil is more fertile and kept moist so that the plants are nourished and grow healthy.
It also mitigates the risk of fragmentation in the soil and favors the presence of microorganisms that eliminate toxic substances for the environment and plants.
Materials needed to make compost at home
Composting is a process that can be promoted in every home, since it does not need sophisticated tools to make it possible. Below are the materials necessary to obtain the fertilizer that is called compost.
Keep reading: 6 innovative ways to use your food waste
Organic food waste
The most important thing for composting is organic waste, as these are the ones that decompose and achieve the production of fertilizer.
Food waste that can be used to make compost are eggshells, fruit scraps, vegetables, legumes, and coffee or tea waste. These provide nitrogen that help accelerate decomposition.
Garden waste
Garden waste that can be used is the remains of pruning, branches and dried leaves of plants. They provide the carbon that helps generate humus to strengthen the soil and maintain moisture.
Other organic waste that can be used
In the composting process, wood, paper or cardboard waste can be added, which also provides carbon.
Products that are not suitable for composting
You can not compost residues of oils, meat, fish, dairy, bread or egg yolks. This is because they tend to generate bad odor and can cause the presence of rodents or pests that damage the process.
In addition, plant residues in poor condition cannot be composted, as they may have harmful fungi accumulated.
Use a composter
It is the container created to store organic waste and obtain compost. In the market they can be found in plastic, wood or metal, although the recommended is the first for its durability.
It has an opening at the top to deposit the organic products that are generated. In addition, on the sides it has another access that is used to extract the fertilizer when it is ready.
The composter should be located in a field where a large amount of air runs and is always humid.
Leaf rake
It is a tool used exclusively for agricultural activities. It works like a broom that collects leaves and falling grass to keep the ground firm and polished.
It is a necessary tool for composting because it allows to gather all the leaves, branches and harvest residues that will be used to generate natural fertilizer.
Garden bags
In them you can store leaves and grass. In composting they allow to separate the dry waste from the wet ones, which provides greater ease when accommodating them inside the composter.
Step by step to make compost at home
Composting is an effective and simple process to perform inside the house. Following these 7 steps will obtain a natural compost with a large amount of nutrients.
1. Choose organic waste
The first step is to select the food and garden scraps that are present in the house and can be composted. With regard to food residues, it is important to corroborate that they do not have any type of fat or cooked ingredients attached.
2. Set them aside
After selecting all the organic waste that is suitable, it is stored in a container. This allows you to keep them separate from the garbage that will be discarded and organize them for when it is time to accommodate them in the composter.
3. Define the place
The composter must already be purchased and the place where it will be located must be defined. This step is essential because the space has to have the right conditions of air, temperature and humidity.
4. Start accommodating waste
Organic waste must be organized by layers. First of all, a few meters of the thickest materials, such as leaves and branches, should be placed to help aerate.
Secondly, the remains of fruits, vegetables and legumes are added. This begins to complement carbon and nitrogen levels.
Then, in the third layer, fertilizer that is already constituted is added, as this element also contributes to decomposition.
5. Continue with the waste deposit
The waste that is added later has to continue to be arranged in layers. It is important that more wet elements are added to accelerate decomposition.
6. Water and stir
It is essential that the layers of waste are wet with a little water to help conserve moisture. However, the amount of irrigation cannot be exceeded because composting is damaged when it is flooded.
It is also important that residues are removed from time to time to facilitate aeration.
7. Remove the fertilizer in a few months
With a constant process you can start using natural fertilizer to nourish the plants in an approximate time of 6 months. A ready compost smells brown and doesn’t smell bad.
Environmental conditions and compost at home
The process will only be successful if the waste remains in conditions of humidity, neutral temperature and good aeration. The properties of the elements and the distribution by layers helps to have those characteristics, but it is also key that the person helps to cool with irrigation and ventilation processes.
In the way of obtaining compost there must be a permanent accompaniment, because if it is left to be damaged there is no turning back for recovery. Start today and create the ideal conditions to help the planet.
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