Tips for Composting at Home

Composting is a natural process whereby organic waste is used for a benefit. This is due to they are transformed into a compost that can be used to nourish crops. Explore in this article how to compost at home and what are its benefits!

In composting, organic matter accumulates in the same place so that it is decomposed with the help of microorganisms and animals. Due to its naturalness, it is an economical technique for agricultural activities.

For compost to be successful you need to stay in a ventilated, humid space with a neutral temperature. Some elements that can be used to produce this type of compost are the remains of fruits or vegetables, egg shells and waste from pruning.

Benefits of making homemade compost

Much of the domestic garbage contains organic waste that takes time to decompose in the landfill, produces methane gas and generates global warming. However, the compost ensures that this organic matter does not reach this end and is destined to benefit the plants in the home garden.

This aspect helps to mitigate environmental pollution, since those wastes that can be used at home stop taking up space from the landfill. In addition, it is the ideal option to generate natural fertilizer and avoiding 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 remains humid so that the plants are nourished and grow healthy.

In addition, 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 compost at home

Composting is a process that can be promoted in all homes, since you do not need sophisticated tools to make it possible. Below are the materials needed to obtain the compost called compost.

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Organic food waste

The most important thing for composting is organic wasteThese are the ones that decompose and produce compost.

Food waste that can be used to compost is egg shells, fruit scraps, vegetables, legumes, and coffee or tea waste. These provide nitrogen that help accelerate decomposition.

Garden waste

Garden waste that can be used they are the remains of the pruning, the branches and the dry leaves of the 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 provide carbon.

Products that are not suitable for composting

Oil, meat, fish, dairy, bread or egg yolks cannot be composted. This is due to they tend to generate a bad smell and can cause the presence of rodents or pests that damage the process.

In addition, you cannot compost plant residues in bad condition, since they can have accumulated harmful fungi.

Using 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 in the upper part 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 must be located on a field where it runs lots of air and always humid.

Leaf rake

It is a tool used exclusively for agricultural activities. Works like a broom that collects leaves and grass that falls to keep the ground firm and polished.

It is a necessary tool for composting because it allows gathering all the leaves, branches and crop residues that will be used to generate natural compost.

Garden bags

Leaves and grass can be stored in them. In composting allow you to separate dry from wet waste, which provides greater ease when accommodating them inside the compost bin.

Step by step to compost at home

Composting is an effective and simple process to perform inside the house. Following these 7 steps you 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 waste, it is important to check that they do not have any type of fat attached or cooked ingredients.

2. Set them aside

After selecting all the organic wastes that are suitable, they are stored in a container. This allows them to be kept separate from the garbage to be disposed of and to organize them for when it comes 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 it has to have the right air, temperature and humidity conditions.

4. Begin to accommodate the waste

Organic waste must be organized by layers. First, a few meters of thicker materials, such as leaves and branches, should be placed to help aerate.

Secondly, the remains of fruits, vegetables and legumes are added. This is how the carbon and nitrogen levels begin to complement.

Then, in the third layer, compost that is already constituted is added, as this element also contributes to decomposition.

5. Continue with the waste deposit

The residues that are added later must continue to be layered. It is important to add increased amount of wet elements to accelerate decomposition.

6. Water and stir

It is essential that the layers of waste are moistened with a little water to help conserve moisture. Nevertheless, watering amount cannot be exceeded because compost is damaged when it gets waterlogged.

Likewise, it is important that the residues are removed from time to time to facilitate aeration.

7. Extract the compost in a few months

With a constant process, you can start using the natural fertilizer to nourish the plants in approximately 6 months. A ready compost smells brown and does not smell bad.

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Environmental conditions and compost at home

The process will only be successful if the waste remain in conditions of humidity, neutral temperature and good aeration. The properties of the elements and the distribution by layers help to have these 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 damage there is no going back for recovery. Start today and create the ideal conditions to help the planet.