Almost all gardening advice gives great tips on both compost and topsoil use but not everybody understands the difference between topsoil vs compost.
Are you struggling to grow plants in poor soil? Is your garden full of clay or sandy soil that you want to replace? If so, you must be looking for ways to improve your garden by either using compost or buying topsoil.
We all know that getting the right soil is by ensuring it has the right nutrients to make the plants thrive. So what happens when the soil is poor?
We have put together information that you need to know what to use when your soil is not in its best state.
The Differences between Top Soil vs. Compost
What is topsoil? Topsoil is a layer of soil out of which your plants grow. It is relatively shallow. Depending on where it’s found, it contains organic matter and nutrients for your plants.
What is compost? Compost is a soil-enriching nutrient that comes from food scraps, dried leaves peelings, eggshells, cardboard, paper, etc. These materials are mixed together in a heap outside or a compost bin and left to decompose. Once well rotten, the mixture is good for the soil and used as manure.
Differences to Help you Choose between the Two
Compost
Topsoil
Full of nutrients to enrich your garden
Great for creating new gardens
Doubles up as mulch
Great for leveling out a lawn
Saves landfills
Helps eliminate weed
Needs space to prepare it
Have to buy if you can’t access it from other farmers
Takes time to prepare and get ready
Certain soils may come with contaminants
What is Best to Use Top Soil vs Compost?
Compost and topsoil are very similar to each other. It is very hard for farmers to distinguish between these two mediums. Adding a layer of topsoil or compost to your garden soil helps add important nutrients to depleted soils. Both equally help improve the overall quality of your current soil. There are many benefits to adding them to your soil because they bring in the nutrients required.
Each of these two has special benefits to the soil and it’s hard to choose one over the other. The best advice is to keep them both as they serve the soil differently. No one can replace the other!
The topsoil retains the soil structure and holds moisture far longer than the compost. It is also relatively affordable to buy.
The compost has more organic matter that the soil requires. The best part of the compost is how it releases its nutrients slowly. Therefore it’s used for an extended period of time.
Where to Buy Compost?
If you don’t have the time to make your own compost, the easiest way to buy compost is online, I have put together a list of products you may try:
Charlie’s Compost– it is made of chicken manure, corn stalks, straw, forest products, hay, clay, and beneficial microbe inoculants.
Wiggle Worm Worm Castings– is an all-purpose natural fertilizer and contains rich proportions of water-soluble nutrients.
Wakefield Biochar– biochar made of wood and compost blended with Mycorrhizal Fungi.
Michigan Peat Compost and Manure– a balanced blend of organic peat and manure, it doesn’t have any odor and can be used in lawns and planting beds.
Fishnure– fish manure compost, it is an organic fertilizer and soil conditioning. The carbon source used to create the proper carbon to nitrogen ratio for this compost is oat straw.
Malibu Biodynamic Compost– it is made in the United States and helps to repair your soil‘s ecosystem.
Conclusion
Ever had 2 pieces of valuable items that you want to choose one over the other. How easy was that decision? Which one did you choose and which one did you not? Do you think you made a wise choice to let one go? Was it wise to keep them both? Now you know, 2 valuables do not compete in the same category! They only go hand in hand!
Learning how to make a homemade compost catalyst enables you to make your pile efficiently available saving you valuable time.
Compost comes from decomposing leaves, papers, eggshells, coffee grounds, and soil. It is rich in nitrogen and carbon which are beneficial to the soil. A new compost usually takes between 1 to 2 months to fully mature.
New compost can benefit from a homemade compost catalyst to help speed up the process. By combining a few basic ingredients found at home your compost pile will be cooking up the nutrients within no time.
How To Make Homemade Compost Catalyst
By learning how to speed up composting and the key factors involved, you can make your own compost within a shorter period of time. A compost pile must be at least 4’x4’x4′ to generate and keep sufficient heat. Too large piles will be too big to compress which limits the oxygen flow.
Place the 5-gallon bucket on sturdy ground. Choose a bucket that has not had any chemicals or any harmful contents. Clean it well before use.
Pour 6 ounce of beer into the bucket – don’t drink any. Beer contains yeast that helps speed up the decomposition process in the compost. You can replace the beer by adding active dry yeast.
Add ½ cup of ammonia to the beer and watch the reaction. Ammonia provides a critical shot of nitrogen. It also helps speed up the breakdown of the compost material.
Pour 2 gallons of warm water into the mixture and mix together.
Add the 12 ounces of regular soda to the mixture. Soda contains extra sugars that help microbes to feed during the decomposition process.
Pour the mixture into a garden sprayer.
Spray this mixture into the compost pile. Using your shovel, mix the pile well to make sure the homemade compost catalyst gets to all corners.
When the heat reaches the first peak temperature, it will kill the yeast, so apply the mix once again to your compost.
Pros and Cons of Using Homemade Compost Catalyst
Not everyone finds the need to make compost in 14 days. To some, it may seem too much work but to others, it’s interesting to make their compost process work faster by using a compost accelerator. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of accelerated decomposing.
Advantages
You get ready compost in a few weeks – unlike the long process of allowing the pile to compose naturally.
You get higher nutrient content due to less leaching in nutrients. The shorter the decomposing period, the more nutrients you preserve.
You get fewer potential weeds and weed seeds – the quickened process that does not allow weeds to form.
Disadvantages
You will use more effort. Unlike allowing nature to take its course, you will need to put in the effort to mix the compost.
You will need more materials. You will need to invest in a little more than just the compost pile.
Conclusion
Life is a journey! And sometimes it takes twists and turns that we never expected. Sometimes it may end up taking us where we did not want to go. If you had the key to drive your own life the way you want, would you take it? Same here, you have the chance to cook up your compost pile within the shortest time possible and still get amazing results. Why not use it?
FAQ
What Is A Compost Accelerator?
A compost accelerator is a booster added to the compost pile to get speedy results for complete composting. It is also known as compost activators or compost starters.
Compost accelerators comprise bacteria and fungi which will help kick start nature’s operation for the decomposition process.
How Long Does It Take For Compost To Break Down?
How long compost takes to break down is about 4 weeks to 12 months to break down. However, if you make use of a tumbler, your compost can break down quicker in a period of 3 weeks to 3 months.
You should also take note that the rate at which compost will break down will depend on some factors. They are:
Size: the size of your materials will determine if decomposition will be fast or slow. The smaller size breaks down more speedily than the bigger size. Thus, to enhance your compost to break down rapidly, chop and shred the materials into smaller sizes. Also, if you want to add things like food scraps, grass, dry leaves, etc to your compost, do so by cutting them into smaller bits.
Turning pile compost: when you turn your pile compost often encourages aeration. It will also enhance the movement of bigger bits towards the center where they are able to decompose faster. The use of a compost tumbler enhances this procedure.
Heat: heat will help speed up the decomposition process in the compost pile.
Does A Compost Pile Need Sun?
If you want to speed up the decomposing process of your compost pile, placing them in the sun will do the job. The compost pile will need the sun to increase the temperature making the fungi and bacteria work faster. However, watering your compost pile once in a while under the full sun might be needed so it does not dry out.
How Do You Know When Your Compost Is Ready?
If you are wondering how do you know when your compost is ready, these characteristics should help you out:
Color: the color of your ready compost pile should be a dark rich color.
Texture: when your compost is ready, the texture should be smooth and friable. Most of the things you added to your compost should not be seen, they should all be smooth. There should also not be too much moisture in it.
Scent: the smell of your readymade compost should be sweet like earth. There shouldn’t be any indication of sourness. If your compost smells sour, it’s a sign of an incomplete decomposition process meaning it needs more time to decompose.
What Will Happen If You Left The Compost Too Long?
You might be wondering what will happen if you left the compost too long? Well, it’s still safe to make use of after years only if the moisture levels are well managed and covered in a dry place.
However, little by little, the compost can begin to break down. The nutrients will start to leach away and the compost pile might begin to show signs of rotting. The fungus can also begin to pollute or contaminate the compost pile.
Have you been warned of the risks of composting weeds and you don’t know if you can compost them? Weeding is a dreaded garden activity because it might be hard to get rid of these longlasting and resistant plants. Weeds are plants hard to pull, they give plenty of seeds and multiply everywhere. Sometimes weeds climb on other plants, and in some cases, they can even smother others to death by weight or in a parasitic relation.
We find ourselves weeding through the garden every other day, but weeds keep popping up. We then find ourselves facing a new problem: what to do with the weeds we just pulled? Can you compost weeds?
Can You Compost Weeds?
Weeds never die is a common saying, but what are weeds and why do they “never die”?
Many say weeds shouldn’t be thrown into the compost bin. Weeds have very resistant seeds, that can remain alive even above 65°C (or 149°F). Most composts get to only 45-50°C (°F), because of many factors, such as:
Small size, warm composts need to be at least 1m3 (27 ft³).
Not enough green organic matter was mixed in, in relation to the brown organic matter added. You can fix this lack of Nitrogen in the mix by adding more of the greens or even add some urine (with a concentrated and readily available nitrogen).
Not turning it over often enough. How often do you turn it over? Once a week or once a month?
The climate where you keep the compost is too dry, too wet, or too cold. This can set back the decomposing process in your compost
Composting of Weeds, how to succeed?
In order to succeed in composting weeds, the best thing to do is to observe the most common weeds in the location and learn how they look like in different life stages. Weed out as soon as you spot a weed in your garden, the sooner the better.
Once it flowers, the plant will start producing seeds very quickly, and decomposing the weeds in the compost may not be enough to inactivate the seeds. When you fertilize your soil with the uncomposted weed’s seeds, they will eventually find the conditions to germinate, making it a never-ending process of weeding.
Compost usually warms up, but in order to break the weeds seeds cycle, we must guarantee the heat to persist (above 65°C/ 149°F) during at least fifteen days in a row.
The Quick Guide To Composting Weeds Successfully
Make sure you build a big compost pile to ensure its proper warming process. The size of the compost container should be double the volume of the final compost you want to obtain. You may find very detailed instructions on how to build six different types of compost bins or containers and their optimum sizes in this article.
Cut organic matter into small pieces when possible.
Add enough brown organic matter to balance recently trimmed weeds (green matter). One bucket of green organic matter and one bucket of brown organic matter -or a bit more- is a good volume relation (1:1).
Keep the moisture content between 40 to 60%. The compost mix should feel moist to the touch.
Most importantly: compost weeds before they get to flower.
FAQs
Can weeds go in a compost bin?
Weeds are an organic material that will break down over time. There are several ways you can use weeds in your composting process.
One thing you can do is make a mulch from them, which will add nitrogen and organic matter to your soil. This will help keep weeds down while improving your soil.
You can also add the weeds to your compost bin. This will keep them out of your yard, where they can cause problems. If you are going to add them to your compost bin, be sure to let the weeds sit there for at least two weeks before adding them to the compost pile. This will give them time to decompose. You may not be able to use your compost bin as often if you have a lot of weeds in it. A lot of weeds can be very hard on a compost bin, causing it to become hot and smelly.
If you have a lot of weeds, you may want to try using a worm bin instead. Worms are much better at breaking down the weed seeds than a compost bin is.
Why do people not compost weeds?
The most common reason people avoid composting weeds is that they’re afraid of creating a toxic stew. They worry about mixing plant material and having to filter out the weed seeds. The truth is, you don’t have to worry about this. There are two ways to compost weeds: first, you can let the weeds decompose in place, and second, you can remove them and compost them separately.
If you choose the first option, simply leave the weeds where they are, because they’ll naturally break down into humus in time. If you choose the second option, you can remove weeds from your compost pile, then separate them from the rest of the compost with a screen or a metal strainer. If you do this, you’ll need to add a little extra water and oxygen to the pile, but it’s not that difficult. In either case, you don’t have to worry about weed seeds.
They’re sterile when they germinate, so you can just put the compost directly into the soil. In fact, many gardeners use a single-composting system for all their organic matter. If you’re looking for a simple solution, then this is a great way to go. You’ll save time by doing it all at once, and you won’t have to worry about keeping separate piles of food waste, yard trimmings, and manure.
Why is it a good idea to compost weeds?
Composting weeds is a great way to help our environment. It will help to keep your garden free from nasty weeds, it will also help the environment by helping to remove excess nitrogen from your garden and helping to reduce the amount of water needed for the garden. Composting weeds can help with the process of recycling, weeding, pest control and fertilizing. Composting weeds will help you to save money by not having to buy weed killers.
Composting weeds will help you to grow more plants, it will also help you to grow healthier plants and you will notice that your garden will be healthier than ever before. Composting weeds will help to increase the amount of nutrients in the soil and it will help to make sure that your soil is rich and healthy for your plants. You can find the best place to compost weeds at your local gardening store. They have different methods for composting weeds and they also have all the right tools to help you get started.
Why should you not compost weeds?
– Do not compost your weeds if you have a dog or cat in your house because the weed seeds could get into their food and they could get sick.
– Do not compost your weeds if you have a pet because the weed seeds could get into their food and they could get sick.
– Do not compost your weeds if you have any allergies to weeds or other plant material because the weed seeds could get into their food and they could get sick.
– Do not compost your weeds if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain because the weed seeds could get into their food and they could get sick.
Why Are Weeds Good For The Garden?
The weeds of your garden have functions in the ecosystems.
1. Weeds are plants designed by Nature to regenerate soils. They like to grow especially in borders, eroded or poor soils, and besides trails and roads.
2. Weeds are very resilient plants that prepare the soils for other more nutrient demanding plants in ecological succession.
3. When soil is left bare or is turned around during tilling, seeds of weeds germinate easily and start their life mission: to hold the soil and nurture it.
4. Weeds tend to be highly medicinal, nutritious, or can be extremely toxic.
5. Many weeds have superpowers to absorb high quantities of certain minerals from the soil. Some of them are even used to regenerate heavily polluted soils (from contaminants such as oil, gasoline, and heavy metals).
6. Many animals develop a special relation to these kinds of plants and seek them for specific therapeutic results, including us humans.
7. They have accompanied humans during the ages and have a history of being related to witches, wizards, healers, and shamans all around the world.
If you have more tips, leave in the comments what has worked for you when you compost weeds from your garden.
Go often to the house of thy friend, for weeds soon choke up the unused path.
Composting can be an effective way to make use of kitchen waste and yard scrap. If you do the proper composting procedures, it can also provide garden soil with rich nutrients for plant growth.
You can either choose to start a compost pile or make use of a compost tumbler, it all depends on which one you prefer. While most gardeners are familiar with a compost pile, most will encounter some difficulties when starting a compost tumbler for the first time.
Fall into this category?
You can read up more about a compost tumbler and how to use one in the guide below.
What is a Compost Tumbler?
A compost tumbler is a sealed container that makes composting simpler and faster. It helps to retain the heat needed for decomposition and also turns the organic materials in the box.
Most times, the containers are made from recycled plastic and adequately sealed, unlike compost bins.
There are different types of compost tumblers, and they differ from one another based on their design. The sealed drum compost tumblers consist of few parts and are a much simpler model compared to the others. Some models have rollers on them, which makes it easy to move them around the garden.
Aerated drum compost tumblers are designed to provide the compost materials with all the oxygen required to speed up the process. You can also choose the dual-bin compost tumblers. Although they are more expensive, they produce compost faster than the others.
Starting a Compost Tumbler
The first thing you want to do once you decide on a starting a compost tumbler is to choose a suitable box for your garden. There are different types and designs of compost tumbler, so you want to look out for the one that best suits your garden.
Choose a Compost Tumbler
You can check your local garden supply shop or browse online for a compost tumbler. You want to do your research and find the best compost tumbler for your garden. Find one that suits your needs and falls within your budget.
Pick the Right Spot
Where you place your compost tumbler also determines how well it functions. You should set your compost tumbler in an area that is covered. It is best to reduce the amount of moisture that gets into the compost tumbler from outside. Place your bins under the tree or use a cover material to protect it from the elements.
Use the Right Type of Organic Materials
Composting requires kitchen or yard waste as raw organic materials, so you have to make sure that they are readily available for your compost tumbler.
You need to put in the right type of compostable materials into the compost tumbler, and it is the only way for microbial activity to take place. Kitchen waste such as eggshell and vegetable scraps are suitable compost materials. Still, you also need to ensure that your papers and other dense documents are of the right size before adding them to your tumblers.
Balance the Nitrogen and Carbon Materials
You will have to balance the nitrogen and carbon materials in the compost tumbler if you want decomposition to take place. Most gardeners get it right up until this spot; they don’t know how to choose the right brown and green materials for their compost pile.
You need to take note of all that you toss into the compost tumbler. It will be wrong to throw in anything that isn’t useful in the kitchen or around the home. The materials have to be rationed if you hope to get results soon enough. Ideally, the right mix should be a mixture of 75% brown materials and 25% green materials. Examples of brown carbon-rich materials include hay, sawdust, paper, and leaves. While green, nitrogen-rich materials provide a source of protein and include vegetable clippings, grass, coffee grounds, eggshell, and other kitchen scraps.
Remove Dirt and Debris for Your Compost Tumbler.
Just because composting looks messy doesn’t mean it is alright to throw anything into the collection. You want to avoid adding anything that can contaminate your composting efforts. Keep your compost pile free from any materials such as toxic chemicals and anything that isn’t safe for your soil and plants.
Compost in Batches for a Better Finished Compost
A compost tumbler might work magic when it comes to preparing compost, but you should know that this can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month to finish. So you want to ensure that you are patient enough and not tempted to add in new materials. Adding new elements to a compost pile that is already decaying will only increase the composting time.
If you intend to compost numerous materials, you can choose to buy a dual-bin compost tumbler or separate ones for your kitchen waste and yard scrap.
Practice Proper Composting Process
As a gardener, you need to know the right composting methods if you want to get the best from the process. The first thing you need to know is that after adding the materials into the compost tumbler, you may need to start the microbial activity on your own. While this can take place naturally, doing it will only speed up the composting process and time.
You can do this by adding in horse or cow manure and garden soil to your compost materials.
You will also be required to turn compost tumbler as often as three times a week. Although, it is much easier to rotate a compost tumbler than a compost pile. All that is required is to hold the handle and spin the barrel continuously until you are satisfied; the materials are adequately mixed.
Monitor the Composting Process
You will need to check up on your compost regularly. You need to keep tabs on the temperature level, moisture content, and the color and consistency of your compost materials. While this may sound difficult, all you need is a few hours a week spread between two or three days to check with your compost.
FAQ’s
How do you make a compost tumbler?
You do want to make sure that turn your compost pile. It is easy enough to do manually, but if you have the time and energy, you can make a tumbler composting machine.
I’ve had good luck with this tumbler setup. It’s not as fast as a composter, but it’s more convenient and works just fine for me.
The procedure to make a tumbler composting machine is to first build a compost bin, and then assemble the tumbler.
Start with an empty plastic trash can (the larger the better). Fill it to the brim with your garden waste. The larger the better because the waste will be less compacted. Place your garden waste in the tumbler and cover it with a lid.
If you don’t have a lid, then use a plastic bag that is big enough to cover the tumbler. Check your compost every couple of days and turn it with a large spoon. I usually wait about a week before adding new ingredients to my compost bin. If you are using a metal tumbler, you may need to add some kind of binder to keep the waste from flying out of the container.
What size of compost bin should I use?
This really depends on what type of soil you have and how much garden waste you want to add. If you live in an area with sandy soil, then it’s best to go with a small bin. You’ll be able to use your bin more often and get more compost out of it. If you live in an area where you don’t have sandy soil, then go with a large bin.
How often should I rotate my compost tumbler?
Many composting experts recommend that you turn your compost tumbler at least twice a week. It’s important to remember that the material in your compost should be damp before turning. If it is dry, you will create heat and cause decomposition to be slower. If you have lots of green waste such as grass clippings or weeds, you may need to turn your compost more often.
Should I put my compost tumbler in the sun?
This is a good idea as it will make the decomposing process go faster, just remember that it will dry it out, so you do need to keep this under consideration.
What should you not put in a compost tumbler?
It’s true that some things, like meat and dairy products, should not be put into a tumbler. But it’s not always as simple as that as it really can come down to amounts that you put.
Other things that you shouldn’t put in a tumbler include, fats, wood that has been treated with pesticides, disease or infected plants, charchoal and pet waste.
Final Note
Starting a compost tumbler is not all that difficult, especially if you know a little bit about composting. For first time gardeners, you will need to pass through the learning curve to become expert compost farmers. You can mix finished compost to your soil to improve its nutrients and enjoy its benefits.
If you have a question or would like to contribute to the topic of starting a compost tumbler, feel free to do so in the comment section. We will love to hear from you.
In the journey towards helping our planet, you have probably turned to reducing, reusing and recycling your trash. One way to do this is by composting all your kitchen organic waste. If you already do that, then you can go one step further by installing a composting toilet. You may have some questions about them and we are here to deliver! So let’s get cracking and find out all about how do compost toilets work. Do compost toilets smell?
What is a Composting Toilet
A composting toilet is a device that by using the natural decomposition and evaporation processes, recycles human waste. In this way, you can reduce your water usage, not only at home but at water treatment facilities.
Basically you will keep your waste local and at home, without polluting the groundwater. In this way, you avoid either the sewer system or a septic tank.
It can also compost toilet paper that is thrown into it, so you will not have to worry about separating your bathroom trash also.
These types of commercially available toilets have three different goals in mind: they compost the waste and toilet paper quickly and without leaving any smell behind, they have to make sure the compost that is left behind is safe to handle and they need to evaporate the liquid that is in the waste.
They have been around for many decades. They were perfected in the ‘60s by a company called Sun-Mar. They were the forerunners of this industry.
How do Composting Toilets Work?
The three tasks that the toilet needs to perform, which we mentioned before, need three separate chambers. The composting chamber, the evaporating chamber, and the finishing drawer.
The Composting Chamber: Chamber Number 1
In this chamber, the toilet needs to create an ideal environment where the waste can decompose as it would in a regular compost pile. This needs to be warm, moist, with enough organic material and enough air.
This is usually made up of a sort of drum that can be rotated in order to incorporate air into the compost. Once ready, it can be rotated into the finishing chamber.
The compost needs oxygen for the bacteria to do their job correctly and thrive. If the mix is not tumbled periodically, the process will go much slower and will generate odor.
You want a composting chamber that does not apply direct heat. This is in order to avoid drying out the compost, which is another way of lengthening the decomposition process. Bacterias need moisture to live! You want to keep it between 40% and 60%.
Regarding warmth, the microbes themselves create enough heat to keep the compost warm enough in temperate climates. If you live in a very cold area, you may need an electric toilet that can indirectly warm up the composting chamber.
All of these precautions are to avoid the growth of anaerobic bacteria, which are the ones responsible for bad odors.
The Evaporating Chamber: Chamber Number 2
As we said, the compost must be kept moist enough but it must not be saturated. If there is an excess of liquid that cannot be absorbed by the compost, it will drain from the compost chamber into the evaporating chamber through a mesh.
The evaporating chamber is very different from the first chamber. It has a large surface area, it is well ventilated and it is in direct contact with heat.
These characteristics allow the moisture to evaporate rapidly. They usually have trays that can be removed and cleaned.
In electric models, there is a heat source places beneath the evaporating chamber. If they are not powered, the toilet needs to be connected to overflow vents. This is because passive venting is not enough to evaporate all the excess liquid and it can cause odor.
The Finishing Drawer: Chamber Number 3
This extra chamber allows compost that is finished to not be contaminated by fresh waste. It also allows the compost enough time to dry out until it is ready to be removed and used.
It has two functions: to keep the compost in an easily accessible, isolated container, while it helps to complete the composting process by drying it out a little bit more.
FAQ’s
How bad does a composting toilet smell?
The answer is that it varies, but it can smell quite bad. So bad, in fact, that many people find it hard to live with it. But the truth is, the smell of a composting toilet is much less than you might think, and if you can tolerate the odor for long enough, it won’t bother you as much as a conventional toilet.
However, the smell of a composting toilet is pretty minimal in most cases. As you can imagine, a composting toilet is fairly simple and requires very little maintenance to keep it smelling fresh. A composting toilet also allows you to have a more natural toilet system, which can be more environmentally friendly than using chemical products like bleach or ammonia to remove odors from your home.
It’s not described often as the stench of death, but it can be pretty rank. For example, it’s not uncommon for them to smell like rotten eggs. The compost itself is mostly fine, but some of it will produce smells that are off-putting to others.
Do they all smell the same?
It turns out that there’s more to the story than you might imagine. For example, you can have a composting toilet that smells like roses, or you can have one that smells like rotten eggs, depending on what kind of bacteria are present in your toilet’s waste.
Are they common?
Composting toilets are becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. They use organic waste to produce soil-like material that is used to grow plants in gardens and landscapes. There are many advantages of using composting toilets, but they can also have drawbacks.
How do I stop my compost toilet from smelling?
This is the question most homeowners ask when they see the compost toilet.
Here are some ideas: -Use mulch as a cover, and sprinkle some baking soda on top of it. This will keep the smell away.
-Add some bark chips to the base of the pit. The bark will absorb moisture and help prevent odors.
-Try a worm farm. Worms are great for adding to the compost.
– Use an odor neutralizing compound (such as Potash, or a similar compound such as Cattleman’s Compost) that will help with odor. Or
– Use a different type of toilet, such as a sand pit toilet. In any case, you will need to add more material to your compost, and the smell will likely go away.
How often do you have to empty a composting toilet?
It depends on the kind of composting toilet you use. If you’re using a composting toilet that produces its own heat, you will not need to empty it as often as if you are using one that doesn’t. A composting toilet that produces its own heat is one in which the urine and feces are heated and turned into compost in the process.
I don’t want to empty my composting toilet more than once every 2 weeks.
Do Composting Toilets Make your Bathroom Smell Bad?
This depends on which model of composting toilet you install. If you install a composting toilet with a composting unit in the basement of your house, you will not have to worry about the actual compost smelling up your bathroom.
Our first advice would be then not to get a small composting toilet. The all in one units are smelly because you have everything in the same area. They also need to be emptied out very frequently, which can be a hassle.
We also recommend you buy the compost starter that the manufacturer suggests instead of using soil from your backyard. This starter helps the decomposition to actually happen.
There is another issue. Most composting toilets need to have the chambers we described above directly below the toilet itself. This may make some people squeamish, so we recommend you consider a foam flush or micro flush toilet.
These options will also let you install the toilet not directly above the composting chamber.
All in all, composting toilets are an amazing choice for the environment, but they are a big step for most families. You will need to consider how you are going to install them and where. If you live in a house, you need to budget for it as well because they do not come cheap.
Big composting toilets are really convenient, though. You will not need to empty it for at least a year after installing it, so it will be a win-win situation for you and your family. Probably even save you money in the long run.
If you do not have space, installing a small unit also works but it is smellier and this may not be a great option if your family is squeamish.
What do you think? Have you made the decision to install one? Comment below!
Adding green to your abode makes it look much more invigorating than investing too much in unnecessary decorations that may make your house look superfluous. Growing healthy plants in your garden can only be made possible with healthy soil. Natural or organic fertilization with compost or manure is seen as a viable option for over-commercialized plant food, but which one is better for your garden soil, mushroom compost vs cow manure?
What is Compost?
Compost refers to organic materials that have been decomposed to provide nutrients to the soil during the growing season and at the same time, minimize food wastage. This step, called composting, is a relatively easy process to execute, assuming that you know which among the list is recommended for the process.
Although compost equates to minimizing food waste, particular things are highly discouraged to be part of the process like animals and milk products. Animal products take time to decompose; hence, they may serve as a breeding site for microbes, which invites diseases.
Therefore, it’s better to settle for plant and fruit products – mushroom compost, for example.
Mushroom Compost
Mushroom compost makes a good conditioning product for your garden soil, as it is organic and easy to find. There is a variation in the growing process for mushrooms; therefore, their composting process may differ from one another.
You can buy mushroom spawn in the market or prepare it manually. A single bag of mushroom spawn is steam pasteurized to get rid of weeds that competes with your plants in absorbing nutrients from the soil and also to eradicate other harmful substances to your plants.
The entire duration for mushroom composting normally takes about three to four weeks, with the temperature closely monitored to complete the process. After it has been completed, the leftover compost is utilized as a soil fertilizer.
Mushroom compost is capable of providing nutrients to your plants at an affordable rate. In addition, it also allows your soil to further increase its water-holding threshold – an advantage that minimizes its watering-need demands.
Most garden plants, may it be fruits, vegetables, or flowers, are compatible with mushroom compost. To further appreciate its effects, mix it thoroughly with the soil before use.
Disadvantages of Mushroom Compost
Although mushroom compost is an ideal organic matter to use, you should be aware of where and when to use it due to its high-salt level. Salt-sensitive plants like azaleas are not compatible with mushroom compost, while seedlings may also be affected by the high amount of salt.
Another form of fertilizer that can be used in producing healthy plants is animal manure (usually cow, chicken, or horse manure). This organic fertilizer is also capable of giving off nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the soil.
The animal waste used in manure processing is a cost-effective process that doesn’t cause any pollution at all. Moreover, it’s also capable of killing weeds and pests that disrupt the growth of plants.
There are three different types of Manure: green manure, compost manure, and farmyard manure. All three come from different sources but primarily aim to provide nutrients to the soil for the plants to grow well. Among the excretion present, those from cows serve as the best ones for gardening.
Cow Manure
As mentioned, cow manure serves as the most ideal dung for gardening. Cows eat mainly grass, so it’s not unusual to see grass and grain in their manure. Cow manure isn’t difficult to find, as there are several cows in the field that excretes from time to time.
Composting manure is highly beneficial to plants, as it serves as an excellent culture bed for seeds, due to its high nutrient content. Although it’s a good fertilizer, heavy manures, like those from cows, must be combined with light materials (hays, straws) or ash/lime.
Advantages of Cow Manure
Aside from providing a rich amount of nutrients from your crops and other forms of garden plants, it also increases the soil’s water-holding capacity – that means you won’t have to keep on watering your plant from time to time.
Another advantage of using cow manure is that it improves ventilation for your plants. Composting cow manure will also promote the growth of good bacteria in the soil. Good bacteria hasten the absorption of nutrients by breaking the aforementioned down into simpler forms.
Lastly, it’s also environmentally friendly, in a way that produces a small number of greenhouse gases.
Disadvantages of Cow Manure
Manure or waste may be beneficial for the soil, but it’s also considered a breeding site for bacteria like Escherichia coli, a pathogenic type of microbe. Aside from the presence of pathogenic bacteria in fresh cow manure, it also has a high concentration of ammonia that’s harmful to your plants.
To eradicate these problems, composting in the right way cow manure will kill most of the pathogens. Follow the steps mentioned here to reduce the risk of foodborne pathogens in your vegetable gardens.
You can buy these mushroom and manure compost on Amazon:
Espoma GM25 Organic 3-2-3 Chicken Manure- it is made in the United States and it is suitable for organic gardening.
Michigan Peat Garden Magic Compost and Manure- a balanced blend of organic peat moss and composted animal manure, it is ideal for improving a wide range of planting soils.
Mushroom Compost Organic Brands- this media contained wheat straw, fibrous peat, gypsum, dolomite, crushed feathers, cottonseed meal, peanut meal, and more.
Michigan Peat 5240 Garden Magic Compost and Manure
Conclusively, both products are excellent sources of nutrients for your soil. Soil applied to either of these products end up producing healthy plants. However, between both processes, going for mushroom compost is a better option due to its less tedious process.
Albeit, you can still opt for composting cow manure to completely enjoy its benefits for your plants. In the end, choosing based on availability and cost plays a major role on your part.
Your garden soil may contain manure. However, this is not commonly found in the ground unless previously added. Many gardeners prefer using other types of fertilizers and organic matter to improve their soil quality.
How Do You Make Mushroom Compost With Soil?
You can make mushroom compost with soil by using the following ingredients:
35 – 40% soil
35 – 40% straw
35 – 40% animal manure (preferably horse)
Water
Instructions:
Use a pitchfork or shovel to mix the straw and manure in a wheelbarrow or other large container.
Add a layer of soil, and mix it well.
Moisten the mixture but ensure it is not soggy.
Spread the mixture out evenly in a flat layer on the ground.
Keep the mixture moist as it begins to break down and decompose.
Note: The manure provides the fungi with the nutrients they need to grow. The soil provides structure to the compost and serves as a bacteria and microorganism source to help break down the organic matter.
Over time, the compost will become a rich, dark brown material. This will make it the perfect environment for growing mushrooms.
What is The pH of Mushroom Compost?
The pH of mushroom compost varies. It is influenced by the ingredients used to make it and the stage of decomposition it is in. Generally, mushroom compost tends to have a slightly acidic pH. This can range from 6.0 to 7.0. Most mushrooms prefer this range.
What Vegetables Like Mushroom Compost?
Mushroom compost is rich in nutrients and organic matter. Many vegetables can benefit when growing in this. Some may even prefer it and yield better results! If you have mushroom compost, you can use it to grow:
Tomatoes
Peppers
Eggplants
Squash
Cucumbers
Beans
Mushroom compost makes a great addition to most food gardens. However, if you’re growing berries, it’s best to plant them elsewhere.
What Flowers Like Mushroom Compost?
Almost any type of flower can benefit from mushroom compost. Most types contain phosphate, potash, calcium, magnesium, and iron. Plants that enjoy these nutrients include roses, lilies, marigolds, zinnias, and sunflowers.
Plants that don’t like mushroom compost prefer less acidic soil. If you have azaleas, gardenias, ferns, or zinnias, it’s best to keep your mushroom compost away.
What Do Mushrooms in Soil Mean?
If you see mushrooms popping up, it means there’s an underlying fungal network present in your soil. This network is called mycelium, and it appears when soil conditions are optimal for fungi reproduction.
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of mycelium. If your soil is moist and warm, and there is a source of organic matter for fungi to feed on, you’ll likely see them. Fungi play an essential role in breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients into the soil. If you have mushrooms in your garden, it can be a sign of a healthy ecosystem.
What Edible Mushrooms Grow on Manure?
Eating the wrong mushroom can be fatal. If you see mushrooms growing in your garden, you need to be sure they’re edible before you take a bite. Many edible mushrooms grow on manure, so you’re in luck if you want to start producing your own. You can try growing shiitake, oyster, and enoki mushrooms on a mixture of straw and animal manure.
If you’re after more flavor and texture, you can grow morels or chanterelles. These grow in manure too. Mushrooms can grow in various environments and climates. You can use more than manure if you want to explore other growing substrates.
Conclusion
Having plants in your home provides excellent vibrancy in the surroundings than overly decorating your house with unnecessary objects. To produce healthy-looking plants, mixing your soil with mushroom compost or cow manure is one of the ideal steps to consider. Both materials enrich your plant with enough nutrients to keep your plants healthy and increase water-holding capacity.
Both mushroom compost vs cow manure has their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it’s all up to you what to choose based on the availability and budget.
FAQ’s
Where to buy mushroom compost?
If you don’t have space for composting or if your mushroom compost is not fully done, buying is a great option. So where do you buy mushroom compost? You can buy mushroom compost from all local home and garden stores.
There are lots of benefits to applying cow manure in your garden. However, putting fresh cow manure in your garden is not advisable. Now some fresh manure can have some bad bacteria (e.g. E. coli) which can cause harm to humans when you consume the resulting plant. Bacteria that can be detrimental to your plants can be introduced by applying fresh cow manure.
Also, weed seeds can be introduced to your garden because the digestive tract of a cow cannot break down seeds. Therefore, fresh cow manure can contain weed seeds capable of invading your garden.
Raw cow manure is well comprised of a high amount of ammonium, nitrogen, and salts and these can burn your plants.
This is why we recommend you hot compost your fresh cow manure before applying them in your garden. This way, harmful bacteria, and seed weeds neutralize too much nitrogen, ammonium, and salt. Therefore, your compost manure pile will produce healthy and safe plants.
We suggest you compost your fresh cow manure for a minimum of 15 days at a regular temperature of 131 Fahrenheit. Also, turn your compost constantly so all the manure attains the right temperatures.
What is the best compost for vegetable gardens? Mushroom compost or cow manure
In regards to fertilizing your vegetable table, there are usually numerous options. The best out of these numerous options are compost and manure. Nevertheless, between mushroom compost and cow manure you might be wondering which is better.
Our recommendation for the best compost for vegetable gardens is mushroom compost. Both mushrooms and cow manure are great. But cow manure is usually not recommended for edible crops such as vegetables as there is the chance of disease transmission to humans e.g. E. coli.
However, if you must use cow manure, hot compost them well. Also, apply them to your soil at least 3 or 4 months before you plant vegetable gardens.
What is mushroom compost not good for?
Mushroom compost is not good for fruit crops that need an acidic medium. This is because most finished compost is neutral. It is also not suitable for lawn top-dresser only if the soil is already acidic.
Mushroom compost is as well not suitable to be used as potting mix components.
Can too much compost hurt plants?
Even though compost is a slow-releasing nutrient, too much compost can be detrimental to your soil as well as your plants. It can suffocate and even kill your plants.
Take for example nitrogen and phosphorous. They are some of the components in compost. Nitrogen is assimilated fast and rain can easily wash them away. Also, nitrogen is easily converted to N2 and N2O gases that escape through the air.
However, phosphorous are assimilated gradually. It can’t be easily washed away by rain or converted. Therefore, excess phosphorous build up in the soil where it can reach a toxic level.
In my ongoing quest for that “perfect vegetable garden”, I’m always on the lookout for new ways to improve my little patch of heaven. As it turns out, all vegetable gardens benefit from lots of compost and organic matter.
Compost adds nutrient-rich humus to the garden and encourages the growth of worms, beneficial bacteria, and other organisms that maintain the well-being of your garden soil. Compost added to soil is useful in retaining a healthy moisture level and breaking down clay-like deposits that may develop over time.
That being said, I have to confess: I detest the smell of compost! I have used it before and despite my best efforts, I haven’t been able to manage the odor. Fortunately, a reader suggested that I try mushroom compost as an alternative.
But what exactly is mushroom compost? How do you use it, and more importantly, is mushroom compost good for a vegetable garden?
Is Mushroom Compost Good for a Vegetable Garden?
I’ve been using 10 Pounds Sterilized Compost Mushroom Substrate which had the highest rating on Amazon and also had the greatest number of reviews at the time. Having purchased several bags, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.
Mushroom compost slowly releases nutrients into the soil and encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria, fungus, and other micro-organisms. It also prevents the occurrence of little nasties such as pests, weeds, or viruses.
Apart from that, mushroom compost also locks moisture into the soil, making it resistant to crusting and compaction. Rain is absorbed more readily; this, in turn, encourages worms that enrich the soil further. Water runs more freely too – no more drowned or waterlogged roots!
Ultimately, mushroom compost is perfect for nearly all flowering plants, vegetables, herbs, trees (especially fruit trees), shrubs, and even lawns. Vegetable crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, and Brussels sprouts are happiest in the non-acidic environment that mushroom compost brings to the soil. Potato crops also thrive due to increased moisture.
Since mushroom compost is rich in calcium, you won’t encounter the blossom-end rot which plagues a lot of tomato growers. I planned on making some compost tea to prevent leaf mold, but according to one source, the use of mushroom compost tea is dubious at best and may even be harmful.
On a side note, I think that mushroom compost looks great with its rich, dark brown colors that speak of a healthy-looking garden.
Most importantly, mushroom compost doesn’t smell bad at all! It’s also relatively cheap compared to other traditional composts I found on the market.
What is Mushroom Compost?
Mushroom compost doesn’t contain mushrooms, even though its name suggests otherwise. Its actually the substrate left over after the process of producing mushrooms on an industrial scale.
You’ll find that mushroom compost “recipes” vary greatly and may include chopped straw, peat moss, poultry manure, cocoa shells, cottonseed or canola meal, gypsum, potash, lime, and urea. The mixture is left for a month to allow heat and bacteria to build up, eliminating traces of weeds or other pathogens.
The resulting mushroom substrate is first steam-sterilized then inoculated with edible commercial mushrooms. After a few rounds of harvesting, the bed is deemed “used up” for mushroom production and sold as compost.
Here’s an interesting video that demonstrates how Northway Mushrooms creates mushroom compost on an industrial level.
Potential Problems of Using Mushroom Compost
While you might find using mushroom compost to be useful, there are a few things you should know first. Some plants like fruit bushes and certain flowers like magnolia, heathers, and camellia are incompatible with the alkaline properties of mushroom compost and prefer a more acidic environment.
Fresh mushroom compost is rich in soluble salts that need to be leached out or cured before use. Excessive salt levels can harm germinating seeds and kill salt-sensitive plants such as rhododendrons, blueberries, and azaleas. Nutrient levels are low, however, relative to other forms of packaged garden manure, with most of the available nitrogen depleted by the mushrooms that previously used the compost.
Mushroom compost may contain large amounts of chalk which you should remove to prevent an accumulation of chalky deposits in the soil. Chalk deprives the soil of nutrients and may lead to a reduction in flowering or fruiting, a yellowing of foliage, and overall stunted plant development.
Also, mushroom farmers may use chemical fertilizers or employ products such as cyromazine, diflubenzuron, methoprene, Dimlin, and Diazanon to control fungus gnats and flies. They may also use chemicals such as thiabendazole, chlorothalonil, and benomyl for fungal infections. These chemicals may find their way into commercial mushroom composts; always check with your supplier!
How is Mushroom Compost Used?
You can apply the compost evenly and uniformly from one to three-inch thickness; this was tilled into the existing soil prior to seeding and planting. For established plants, it’s best to use approximately five to six inches around the base, avoiding any bark to prevent rotting.
As mentioned, fresh mushroom compost can have concentrated levels of soluble salts that can be harmful to certain plants, notably germinating seeds, seedlings, and members of the heath family. To counter this, make sure you mix it with garden soil (25-50% is recommended). You can also allow some mushroom compost to sit uncovered to “cure” over a few months before use.
I also had success in using mushroom compost as a mulch which was great in controlling weeds and helping my garden soil retain its moisture during dry periods.
FAQ’s
Can you grow vegetables in mushroom compost?
Yes, you can grow vegetables in mushroom compost. If you use a compost that has been specifically designed for vegetable gardens, you will get a good yield of healthy produce. You can grow vegetables with little to no care or maintenance. As long as you have enough water, your plants will do just fine.
It is a very simple process. You will need a small amount of mushroom compost, some well-rotted manure and some fertilizer. Why Grow Vegetables in Mushroom Compost? The answer is simple. Mushroom compost contains essential nutrients that plants need to grow properly. It is also extremely rich in nitrogen, which helps plants develop strong roots. This means that your plants will have a healthier root system, which will help them absorb more water and nutrients from the soil.
Is mushroom compost good for tomatoes?
Yes, it is. Tomatoes are a common crop in many gardens, and it is essential to have compost or mulch around the base of your plants to help protect them from slugs, snails and other pests. There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to the use of compost in a garden. There are times when compost will help to boost growth, and others when it is best to leave it out of the mix.
Tomatoes like a pH of between 6 and so the soil should be well-manured and have a pH of around before planting. A pH of around is too low for tomatoes, but if you have high levels of nutrients in your soil then this won’t be an issue. The main problem with using compost is that it tends to dry out the soil, and this can lead to root rot if not done properly.
Is mushroom compost better than regular compost?
Yes, it’s better! If you’re wondering why your plants are getting bigger and healthier after you add compost, that’s because compost is basically fertilizer. The nutrients in the compost are what’s providing the energy for the plant to grow.
So what makes mushroom compost so special? Well, mushrooms have a different life cycle than other plants do. They don’t produce seeds or flowers. Instead, they reproduce by sending out spores, or seeds. In nature, these spores are carried on the wind. In order for a mushroom to grow, it needs to find a host, or living organism, that will feed on the mushroom’s spores.
When you add mushroom compost to your garden, the spores will be attracted to the compost because it smells like food. Once they are near the compost, they will find their way to the surface of the compost and start growing. The mushrooms will continue to grow until they can reach the air. Then, they will release their spores into the air, and the cycle starts all over again. Mushrooms are amazing organisms that can help you with several things. They help break down organic matter and add nutrients to your soil. They also help attract beneficial insects to your garden, including ladybugs, hoverflies, and lacewings. They provide food for your animals, and they also keep your soil healthy and free of pests. You may be wondering what makes mushroom compost different from regular compost. There’s a couple of differences. One is that it has a higher nitrogen content than normal compost does.
It also has a higher water content. These two differences make it a much more efficient way to feed your plants. One thing that you should be aware of when you’re using mushroom compost is that the mushrooms will need to be cleaned before they’re used in the garden. Once they’ve been harvested, you’ll have to clean them. You’ll need to wash them well, because they can carry diseases that can affect your plants. However, once you’ve washed them, they’ll be safe to use.
Conclusion
I can wholeheartedly recommend mushroom compost for vegetable gardens. However, you just have to keep these pointers in mind:
Don’t use mushroom compost with plants that prefer acidic soil
Mix mushroom compost with garden soil
Buy only from trusted suppliers; avoid unwanted chemicals and by-products!
The results I had from 10 Pounds Sterilized Compost Mushroom Substrate were extremely satisfying. I have a noticeable decrease in watering expenses, and most importantly, my plants and vegetables are all happy and healthy.
Please comment below and let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. My take is that if you are interested in improving the state of your vegetable garden, consider adding mushroom compost to your soil. Your garden will thank you for it!
Composting is a great way to recycle waste. It doesn’t matter if it is kitchen waste or animal poo, you certainly can use it for the betterment of your garden plant.
Horse manure is a rich source of nutrients for your garden soil. Its slow releasing properties makes it great for fixing the nutrient deficiency in any soil.
The problem most gardeners face is knowing how to compost horse manure fast. It is unsafe to use fresh horse manure on your soil; you have to compost it first, this should not be difficult once you have access to all the primary material, which is horse dung.
How to Compost Horse Manure Fast?
There are different methods you can try when composting horse manure. It doesn’t matter which method you choose provided you get the required result, which is rich humus.
You can choose either to use a hot or cold compost method for your horse manure.
Hot Composting
In hot composting, microbial activity is heightened by using specific equipment to speed up the process. When done properly, hot composting is one of the quickest methods to recycle waste.
You will need to occasionally turn the compost materials to speed up the decomposition.
You should choose the right size of the compost bin, and be ready to dedicate time and energy to your compost. Depending on precipitation and air temperature, it can take less than 3 weeks to prepare hot composting.
Cold Composting
Another composting method to try is cold composting. It is the direct opposite of hot composting. Here, you are not required to turn the compost pile as often as you would. It is the simplest method of composting, and best for lazy gardeners.
The fact that you do not need to create heat within the compost pile means that you will have to wait a while for your compost to be ready.
Steps to Compost Horse Manure
Pick a Good Location
The first step you need to harvest your compost quickly is to use select the right site. The right spot should be high ground so your compost pile doesn’t get wet. If you own horses, the site should be close to the stable, so you can get easy access to manure.
If you intend to create a storage system such as wooden bins, you should site it in an area that isn’t waterlogged.
A Bin or Pile System
You should also choose a suitable system that you are familiar with; you can choose between a bin or pile system for effective composting. A bin system is best if you love to keep your compost area neat. You can also choose to pile the materials on top of each other near your garden.
If you want to monitor the different stages of your compost, you should use up to three bins or piles. The first one should house the manure and fresh waste material. The second one should be set aside for temperature regulation and turning compost, while the last one should be for the curing or finishing stage.
Use Carbon-rich Materials
To get your compost ready in no time, you will need to make use of carbon-rich materials in addition to your horse manure. Some examples of such materials include sawdust, dried leaves, sticks, paper, cardboard, and pine needles. To avoid anaerobic decomposition, you should mix the materials and horse manure so as microbial activity can begin quickly.
Cover the Pile
It doesn’t matter if you decide to use a bin or pile system, you should ensure that the compost pile remains covered at all times. By so doing, you keep the heat trapped inside the bin which helps to speed up decomposition. You can do this by placing a tray over the compost pile, but you want to ensure that you use a cover that can withstand the elements.
Keep it Airy
One of the secrets on how to compost horse manure fast is to keep the compost airy. You can do this by any means necessary, but the easiest way will be to turn the materials daily. You can also drill holes or construct chimney-like plumbing for airflow.
Turn the Compost
This is where most gardeners throw in the towel. They find the job of having to devote time daily to turning the compost pile to be quite stressful.
The only way microbial activity will take place is by keeping the compost airy and moist. If you find it to be messy, you can use the right gear to make it more comfortable. Wear protective gloves, nose mask, and use a long garden fork to turn the pile, so you don’t come in contact with the materials.
When turning the compost, endeavor to mix the ingredients properly especially if you want it to be ready quickly.
Keep it Moist
You want o keep your compost pile moist if you want speedy decomposition. It is difficult to compost dry materials, so in addition to keeping the compost pile warm, you want to add in some moisture. Be careful not to add too much water and instead keep it moist like a sponge.
Give it Time
You should understand that it can take between 3 and 6 months for your compost to be ready, so you want to give it time and not be looking for results after a few days.
FAQ’s
What makes horse manure different from other types?
Composting horse manure is not as simple as composting other types of manure. The manure needs to be broken down into smaller pieces and mixed with a high-nitrogen substance such as peat or sawdust.
How do you speed up horse manure compost?
There is a lot of information out there, but here are the main things I’ve learned. The more air that is available to the compost, the faster it will heat and break down. If you have a lot of manure, then you’ll have to add more manure to make up for the extra moisture.
The main thing that slows down your pile is lack of water. If you have a thick, dense pile of manure it will need a lot of water to keep it from drying out.
It also needs to be turned over frequently to prevent the manure from becoming too wet and anaerobic. The best time to turn the pile is after the first rain of the year and before any more rain. This will give the pile time to dry out and not become too wet.
Once the manure has been turned, you need to make sure it is kept dry for the first few weeks. If the manure is allowed to get too wet, the aerobic bacteria needed to break down the manure may be killed off. This can cause the manure to become anaerobic and start to smell.
How long does fresh horse manure take to compost?
It might be a bit more or less depending on the size of the bags and how much you turn. It takes about 2 months, depending on the weather. In cooler climates, it will take longer.
What is the fastest way to break down horse manure?
There are a number of ways to do this, but the easiest and quickest would be to just mix it with some hot water. Depending on how much manure you have and how much hot water you have available, you can either use a big bucket or a large stockpot. If you have access to a hose, it’s really not too difficult to run it through a hose and into your stockpot.
The very fastest way is to use a commercial product called “Nutri-Tuff”. It’s a proprietary blend of enzymes that are effective at breaking down manure. It has no effect on the odor, but it does make the manure easier to spread and easier to handle.
Conclusion
You should keep a close eye on your bins and piles, and check for signs that your compost is not right. You can also reduce the smell of your compost bin by keeping it airy.
If you don’t have horses, you should check with a nearby stable to source for fresh manure. You can decide also to buy organic horse manure to use in your garden, but you should double-check that it does not contain any chemical contaminants.
You have the option of purchasing a compost tumbler that automatically turns the compost pile, so you don’t have to deal with the mess.
Have you tried composting horse manure before? How quickly was the compost pile ready? We will like to hear from you in the comment section.
If you want to get the best out of using compost on your soil, you want to ensure that you use rich compost, and mix it into your soil. While you can purchase ready-made compost for your garden, you have to know how to mix the compost into your soil bed; If you want to get the best results.
It is not all that difficult to use compost in the garden; If you are the gardener who loves to get handy, you should be just fine.
Before we get into the steps on how to add compost to the soil, let’s talk about the soil amendment and the different methods available.
Why Use Compost On Soil?
Plants need soil nutrients to survive. It doesn’t matter the nature of your garden, you want to ensure that nutrient is available in the soil.
In a bid to improve their yield, most gardeners seek out methods to improve the condition of their soil. One such method is composting. It involves the breakdown of waste for use as manure for plants. The process might not be all that pretty, but it certainly has its benefits. As someone who practices zero waste, I too compost my kitchen waste. The benefits of composting are numerous, and you should consider it to reduce environmental waste.
Composting is safe for your garden plants, which is one of the reasons why I used them on my tomatoes and berries. You want to be careful not to use compost from human waste on your edible plants. You can use humanure on your lawn grass and flower plant, but use compost from kitchen waste in your garden.
It is what I do; I own a compost tumbler which I use in recycling kitchen and paper waste.
Other Soil Amendment Methods
Improving the condition of your soil will be something you need to do regularly as a responsible gardener. Composting is not the only way to improve soil nutrients. Other methods include the use of natural fertilizers, chemical fertilizers, peat moss, slake lime and the use of manure.
Whatever method you choose to stick to, ensure you apply them right to the soil.
It doesn’t matter if you purchased your compost from the store, or you made them yourself, so long they are ready for use, you want to apply them the right way. You can do this by following the simple steps below.
Use Ready-Made Compost
You want to use only compost that has undergone complete decay. Making use of compost that hasn’t fully broken down has its consequences. You can identify ready-made compost by how it appears and smells. Check to see if it is
smooth to the feel
Black or darkish brown
smells like earth (not foul smelling)
crumbly too
Prepare the Garden
You want to prepare your soil bed for composting. Before adding compost to your plant soil, weed your garden, and ensure to keep pest and rodent preventive measures in place. You don’t want all your composting efforts to be in vain.
If you will be adding compost while seeding your pots, use a good quality potting soil from an organic source.
Mixing Compost
The best way to use compost in a potting system is to mix it with the soil. You should do this before adding in the potting soil. Mix the compost and soil in the ratio 1:3. So if you use 1kg compost, you will have to use 3kg potting soil to balance it out.
You should do this in a large container. I make use of the barrow, and the first thing I do is to add the compost and the potting soil and mix with a garden fork.
Most potting soil contains a bit of compost in it already, so if you were going to apply directly to soil bed, you can save yourself the cost of buying potting soil.
You can always make your potting soil by mixing equal amount of:
It is easy to use compost when planting seeds in your garden bed. All you have to do is to plant it the way you normally would. It is slightly different when planting seeds in topsoil. You will need to till the ground and then add compost to the top layer before adding the seeds.
When transplanting seedlings to pot or soil, use compost and soil in the ratio of 1:2. Plants with already established roots would not have a hard time adjusting to the new environment.
On Established Plants
You can also use compost on already established plants. You will need to prepare the soil bed before adding compost. Shovel off a layer of the soil and replace it with compost. You don’t need to add any other ingredients to the mix. We only advise that you perform a soil test so you can be aware of the nutrients that are lacking in your soil.
Extra Tips
The best time to add compost to your garden soil is in the morning before the sun is high in the sky. It should be the first thing you do before watering your garden. Use compost before planting season for a new plant, and at the onset of fruiting for an already existing plant.
You don’t have to make use of too much compost, but you want to get them in the right places. Close to the stem of the plant is good, and you want to till the surface to expose some roots when applying to grown plants.
Lastly, you need to make use of fully decayed compost in your garden. Remove any lump from the mixture and toss it in the compost bag.
Now that you know how to mix compost into the soil, you shouldn’t have a hard time feeding your plant all the nutrients they need.
Composting is a great way to not only help the planet by reducing your waste but also to help your garden grow and thrive. There are a lot of things you can include in your compost, depending on what your diet is and what is your lifestyle. But there is one thing you may not have known you could include. Maybe you had been throwing it out all along! Today we are going to talk about charcoal ash and wood ashes in compost.
Keep in mind that we are going to discuss the use of good quality hardwood ashes. That means, not coming from barbecue grills, cardboard, plywood, painted or pressure-treated woods, etc. These do not have any real agricultural use and should be discarded.
What are Wood Ashes Made Of
Burning wood leaves two types of waste: ash and charcoal, on top of extra pieces of wood that have not burnt completely. Ash is the grey powder that is extra fine and delicate. Charcoal is the black remains. Together we will reference them as “wood ashes”.
Why Is it Good for Compost?
Composition
Wood ashes contain minerals that can help replenish the soil and improve its quality. They have a ton of phosphorus and potassium – specifically they are made up of 10% potassium and 1% phosphorus. If your soil is in need of these, then you are in luck!
You will be also adding micronutrients, like iron, manganese, boron, copper, and zinc. All of these will make their way to your plants by the microbes present in your compost.
Increased Surface Area and Oxygen Pockets
Wood ashes are an incredible way of adding nutrient holding capacity to your compost. It is so porous that just 1 gram of charcoal has about 10% the surface area of a football field.
By adding it, you will include a lot of oxygen pockets into your compost, that means life for your beautiful microbes. This adsorption -referring to gas and not liquid- is great for your plants!
Increasing the pH in your Compost
Another great thing that wood ashes will do for your garden is increasing the pH of the soil. As they are composed of 25% calcium carbonate, the compost will turn more alkaline if you include them in it.
If you have a lot of vegetable waste in your compost, which is very acidic, adding wood ash will neutralize that. Be mindful of your soil’s composition, though, and do not add too much of it if your soil is already alkaline enough.
Usually, areas that experience regular heavy rainfall have highly acidic soils that can benefit from the addition of an alkaline element to balance that out in place of lime.
Good quality wood ashes have half or even 2 thirds of the calcium carbonate that lime has and are just as effective in this purpose.
Note that ideal soil pH is slightly acidic by nature. Swinging it very far in any direction will cause the soil to lock up on specific nutrients and we want it to have the widest range possible. In high concentrations, this could also inhibit plant growth.
This also depends, however, on what plants you are growing. Some plants have very specific soil needs and you should adjust it depending on that.
Although you should not directly apply it to your soil because of these possible issues, you could do use it as a repellent for slugs and snails.
How NOT to Use Wood Ashes in Your Garden
First of all, do not use them in excess. Apart from turning your soil more alkaline, they can contain trace amount of heavy metals. This effect can be mitigated by keeping a healthy microbial environment in your compost and soil.
Do not use them if your compost will go near acid-loving plants like blueberries or azaleas or newly planted seeds and seedlings. It can be detrimental.
FAQ’s
Is it good to add wood ashes to compost?
It’s perfectly fine. It will help break down the lignin and cellulose, and it will add phosphorous, potassium, sulfur and other nutrients that can be beneficial in a compost pile.
You need to know what kind of ash you are talking about. The ash in question is a product made by heating wood with the intent of separating the lignin from the cellulose. It has been called “wood ash” or “biosolids.
Wood ashes are commonly used as a soil amendment, but they may not be the best choice for garden compost. It’s possible to use wood ash as a soil conditioner, but not as a fertilizer. The wood ashes from a wood-burning stove are considered a waste product, and often end up in landfills or incinerators.
It is also one of the most effective ways to increase your compost temperature without using heat. When composting, it is important to keep the compost pile as hot as possible. If you don’t have access to a wood stove or fireplace, a layer of ash in the center of your compost pile will help keep it hot.
Wood ash is a very good mulch material. It helps to maintain the soil’s pH balance and retains moisture. Some gardeners use wood ash as fertilizer for their vegetable gardens, and some use it to help prevent weeds from growing in their lawns. Wood ash also makes a great soil amendment. You can spread it on your lawn or garden beds to keep your soil well-mulched and acidic.
Is it hard?
Anyone can recycle wood ash as an additive to your compost as it is easy to make a simple compost bin from an old wooden box or barrel. You will need to buy composting material such as shredded newspaper, grass clippings and leaves. Then you just need to mix these materials with the wood ash. The wood ash can be bought in bulk or in bags.
What time of the year is best for it?
The best time to add wood ash to your garden is during the autumn, as this is when it will have the greatest impact on your plants.
How much wood ash should you put in a garden?
When it comes to adding ash to your garden, there are two questions to answer: how much and when. Ash is very versatile in the garden, as it’s used for mulch, compost, soil conditioner, fertilizer, pest deterrent and more. You can add ash to any of these uses and still keep your garden healthy and beautiful.
It’s not good for plants to have lots of nitrogen (ammonia) in the soil. Ammonia is toxic to many plants, and also has a bad odor, so it doesn’t really help them grow either. If you’re going to put wood ash in your garden, you’ll want to avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers like ammonium sulfate or urea.
The amount of wood ash you use depends on the size of your property. You want to apply enough ash to give your plants the nutrients they need, but not so much that you overload them with ash.
Some Recommendations for Using Wood Ashes in Your Garden
1 – We recommend you perform a pH test on your soil before considering adding any wood ashes to your compost. Bearing in mind this information, you should only add a small amount unless your soil is naturally acidic. If it already is alkaline, then avoid them.
2 – Do not burn anything specifically to use the ashes as compost. The gases burning emits are harmful to the environment and therefore will counteract the good things you are doing for the soil. There are other great and easy ways to obtain organic compost.
3 – If the weather is windy, avoid using wood ash as it can blow and scatter everywhere. And on that note, whenever handling it make sure to wear a face mask, eye protection, and gloves. Its alkaline nature can irritate your skin and its particles are easily inhaled.
4 – Use a shovel or scoop to place the ashes into a bag in order to transport it. This way you can also keep some of it to use in the future if you do not need it right away. You could even give another friendly gardener some!
5 – Do not add a whole heap of the ashes to the compost at once. Add it by layers and always put a brown layer on top of your ash. Also, make sure to turn it every time you add new items to keep it healthy.
6 – This one is very important: You should only use ash that comes from untreated wood. This means that ash coming from items like cardboard, stained wood or other substances can contain harmful chemicals and are not beneficial for your garden.
7 – Also avoid using ash from black walnut trees.
8 – Do not mix the wood ash with nitrogen fertilizer. When combined, a reaction can occur that will release ammonia gas. It smells awful!
What do you think? Have you been using wood ash correctly or not? Would you consider using it in the future? Post a picture of your beautiful garden below and tell us how wood ash helped your plants!
Compose can be considered a commodity for gardeners. After all, they can use it as a natural fertilizer to increase their soil’s nutrient value, thereby allowing them to grow healthier crops and enjoy a higher yield.
As a gardener myself, I normally use compost during the planting season as it allows me to enjoy a bountiful harvest. The best part about this is that you can actually create your own, and it doesn’t have to be that expensive or complicated at all.
In this guide, we’re going to talk about how to compost in a bucket along with a few other composting tips which can surely help you along the way.
What You Will Need:
To start, you need to procure the following:
A bucket (preferably a 5-gallon bucket with a lid)
Kitchen waste (kitchen scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, fruit peelings, etc.)
Compostable materials (paper, cardboard, straw, dead leaves, etc.)
Once you have prepared all of the needed materials, it’s about time to start making your compost in a bucket. Here are the steps you want to follow:
1. The very first thing you want to do is to drill holes in the bucket’s lower half and lid. This will allow the bucket to drain moisture that might be present. If there’s too much moisture in your compost, it will affect its overall quality, and you don’t want that in your garden.
Using your drill, punch around five evenly spaced holes. If you don’t have a drill, you can use a hammer and a nail instead.
2. After that, you want to place small sticks at the bottom of the bucket to prevent clogging the holes with your compost materials.
3. Once done, you can start adding your compost materials. These include all your prepared kitchen waste and compostable materials such as fruit scraps, papers, eggshells, etc. However, don’t fill up your bucket, just enough to allow air to circulate around the materials so they can decompose properly.
You can add materials in this order:
First, add dirt at the bottom
Second, place paper materials on top of the dirt
Lastly, add kitchen waste like fruit peelings, eggshells, veggies, etc.
After you’re done adding all the materials, simply place the lid tightly then roll your compost bucket on the ground. Each time you want to add a compost material into the bucket, make sure to roll or shake it. This will allow proper distribution of moisture, heat, and organic matter which, in turn, can help hasten the process.
Every week, make sure you stir the compost at least once to aerate the mixture. Of course, don’t forget to put the lid back on to prevent unwanted pests from swarming the compost.
Once the compost is ready, you can then add it to your compost pile for use in your garden.
Items You Want to Compost
If you’re wondering what items you can add to your compost, we’ve classified them into green and brown materials so you can have a clearer idea:
Green Materials
These materials specifically refer to kitchen waste derived from organic items. These include:
Fruit peelings
Vegetable scraps
Eggshells
Coffee grounds
Grass clippings
Brown Materials
Brown materials, on the other hand, are still organic items that aren’t necessarily derived from food items. They include the following:
Paper
Cardboard
Brown leaves
Mulch
Straw
Note: One thing you want to keep in mind is that green materials generally contain higher nitrogen content than their brown counterparts. Therefore, you want to maintain a 30:1 carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Since each material can have different nitrogen and carbon levels, using a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio chart surely helps.
Common Composting Issues and their Solutions
As you start composting in a bucket, you’ll normally face a number of composting issues that commonly happen. Fortunately, we have a solution for each of them.
Pests and Rodents
It’s quite inevitable for rodents and other pests to invade your compost bin, especially when it’s still fresh. Fortunately, you can easily ward them off by going for a solid-side bucket that comes with a lid. You also want to avoid adding dairy, meats, and fat into your compost.
Smell
Another common issue with composting is the smell. However, you don’t have to worry too much as it can be easily solved. Once your compost bucket starts to stink, you can add dry leaves or newspapers to balance its wet-to-dry ratio.
Slow Decomposition
Slow decomposition tends to occur if there’s not enough aeration inside your compost. To remedy this, you simply have to stir your pile at least once a week. You can also add small content into your pile to hasten the composting process.
Don’t add fat, meats, and dairy products into your compost since they can attract unwanted pests.
You want to avoid adding citrus and onion peels as well since they can end up killing those beneficial microorganisms which can help break down your compost.
Don’t open the compost bucket so often as it will end up releasing heat. Once it happens, the decomposition process will take even longer.
Seaweed and algae make excellent composting materials. However, just make sure you rinse off any salts before adding them.
Yes, it’s possible. You don’t need a special compost bin. You can use a bucket or a bin that you put in the back of your garage or shed. If you use a plastic bucket, make sure to line it with a plastic liner. Plastic is heavier, and the weight helps keep everything in place so you don’t have to constantly stir it. The plastic also keeps the worms happy. You can either put paper down first, or not. You want to make sure that the bottom of the bucket is not exposed to moisture, because you don’t want to drown your worms! A bucket with holes in it is fine, but you can also get a plastic bin and cut the holes out. I’ve done this and it works just as well.
Keep in mind that it’s to maintain and keep clean than a proper bin.
Compost buckets are inexpensive and easy to use. Compost bins require more planning and effort to use effectively.
How do you start using a bucket for composting?
The first step in using a bucket as a compost bin is to decide on what kind of material you want to use as compost. Some people prefer to mix their own compost, others like to buy a compost that’s already made. You’ll also need to determine how much space you have available and the size of your bucket.
The larger the bucket, the more room there will be for the compost to expand. Once you’ve decided on what type of material you’d like to use as compost, choose a bucket that has a tight-fitting lid or cap. Make sure the lid fits tightly enough to keep out animals and pests but not so tight that it becomes difficult to remove the compost when you’re ready to use it.
When using a compost bucket, remember that the compost is an aerobic process, meaning oxygen is necessary to help break down organic matter. The air space in your compost should be kept open, so use the lid only to cover the contents completely when you’re not actively working with it. A small amount of air space will prevent the material from becoming too wet or too dry. Compost is a living material that needs to be turned regularly to keep it aerated and to make sure it’s properly mixed.
Turn the compost by digging it up, mixing it, and then letting it sit for a few minutes before repeating the process. The compost will continue to decompose as long as it remains loose and moist, so check on it often to see how it’s doing.
What should I do if my bucket starts to smell?
If you notice the odor of rotting food or manure, immediately shut off the water supply to the hose. Drain the bucket and remove any food scraps or animal waste. Rinse out the bucket and add new, clean water to keep the compost from becoming too moist.
Conclusion
As you can see, composting in a bucket is a fairly easy and straightforward process. You simply need a bucket with a lid, your composting materials, and a few tools to get started. However, if you want a more organized and neater means of composting, you can opt for a ready-made composting instead. One such product we can recommend is the Keter Composter Bin. It has a 110-gallon capacity, easy assembly, and is made of recycled material.
Hopefully, the guide we’ve provided above can help you create your own DIY composting bucket. Have you tried creating your own composting bin before? If so, were you able to create a successful compost?
Let us know your thoughts by leaving them in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
If you are an eco-friendly gardener like me, you’ve probably tried composting household scraps and yard trash to create composts for your garden. While there are best compost suppliers out there, making your own compost is an affordable way to amend your soil and improve the health of your plants. There are numerous compost bins to choose from depending on your needs, space, and budget.
How Does a Compost Bin Work?
Basically, a compost bin is designed to allow waste organic material to decompose so as to
use it as fertilizer. Compost bins are built with the goal of transforming waste food into nutrient-rich soil that will enhance the growth of your garden and reduce the cost of purchasing chemical fertilizers.
In order to create compost material, you need a scrap of food waste like vegetable and fruit peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds. You also need other items like dead flowers, leaves, newspaper shreds, grass clippings, and straws. In order to form dark, rich, and earthy compost, you will need to add soil and water to the pile.
Again, the process of making compost may differ based on the type of compost bin being used. When done the right way, you will end up with rich, clumpy compost that will boost your soil’s fertility and improve the health of your plants.
If you are planning to make your own compost, watch this video for guidelines.
What You Have to Consider When Choosing a Compost Bin
Type of Composter
This is probably one of the most crucial factors to consider when shopping for a composter. Basically, there are three types of composters to choose from; batch composters, continuous composters, and indoor composters. Each type has its own pros and cons, which you must evaluate before making your decision.
Batch composters have a tumbling action which makes it possible to turn organic matter into compost within a short period of time. Continuous composters are designed to hold numerous wastes and scraps which are added on a regular basis. The compost formed is removed several times in a year. The other type is indoor composters or worm bins which are designed for indoor use to turn kitchen waste into compost.
Size of the Composter
The size of the compost bin is an important thing to keep in mind when making your buying decision. Large compost bins are a great choice if you have a vast amount of waste or when you want to make a large compost pile for your yard. However, a drawback of large composters is that they can be difficult to control and mix, owing to the heavy-weight on the axis point.
On the other hand, smaller composters can handle small amounts of refuse and don’t take much space like their large counterparts. The goal is to choose the right size depending on your needs.
Ease of Use
While this factor is often overlooked, it is worth considering before you make any investment. Of course, you want a compost bin that is not only efficient but also very easy to use. This way, you can make the best compost for your garden needs without much struggle.
The Envirocycle composting bin is an innovative composting system that is constructed from BPA, food-safe, and rust-proof materials. This model from Envirocycle has an elegant and compact design that makes it perfect for almost any space.
Made in the USA, this composter weighs around 24.6 lbs and has a 35-gallon capacity, which is adequate for large applications. The drum’s door includes an interlocking design that allows you to seal the lid tightly. And thanks to the 3 air vents, there will be optimum airflow in the compost bin.
A unique spec of this model is that it combines both the compost tumbler drum with the compost tea maker base. As the drum rotates to produce solid compost, the base comes in handy in collecting the liquid compost to give liquid tea. This can be used as organic fertilizer in your garden.
Things We Liked:
Ability to make solid and liquid compost
Sturdy design
Food safe, BPA, UV resistant, and rust-free material
This indoor compost bin boasts a compact design that won’t take much space in your kitchen. With 1.3 gallon capacity, it makes a great choice for anyone looking for a smaller compost bin to recycle organic waste in the kitchen.
A great spec is the built-in replaceable charcoal filter that does a great job in trapping and controlling the odor. You can, therefore, collect the scraps in this compost without worrying about it producing a bad odor.
What’s more, the bin comes in an impressive, stylish, and sleek design that matches any kitchen decor. Weighing just 2.45lbs, the bin can be placed anywhere you like. Impressively, the grade 201 stainless steel construction is very easy to clean, and it doesn’t harbor bacteria or produce dangerous chemicals like plastic materials. It is also very durable, and it does not crack or scratch.
Things We Liked:
High-quality stainless steel construction
Built-in charcoal filter for odor management
Stylish and sleek design
Affordable
Lightweight
Easy to maintain
Things We Didn’t Like:
The lid is too tight
Charcoal filter doesn’t eliminate odor and fruit flies
Are you tired of mixing compost by hand? Well, what you need is this tumbling composter by FCMP Outdoor. As the name suggests, the composter comes in a tumbling design that allows you to mix your compost pile with ease. You simply need to turn the composter 5-6 times every two days or so, and you will have a fresh batch of compost in 2 weeks.
One thing that makes this compost stand out is its two-chambered design that ensures a steady supply of compost. The model features two separate sides, allowing you to compost on one side while you leave the other side to add fresh scraps. You can also swap sides in order to create a healthy pile of compost.
FCMP Outdoor IM4000 tumbler composer has a sturdy BPA free; UV protected polypropylene and galvanized steel construction. The tumbler has a capacity of 37 gallons, and it boasts a metal stand for suitable mixing.
The fact that this compost bin is easy to use makes it a great choice for beginners. You can add scraps and remove compost with ease thanks to the removable door and large openings. Plus, the body features deep fins that offer excellent ergonomic handholds and adjustable air vents for adequate air supply.
With a 65-gallon capacity, this composter boasts a durable, rugged, and weather-proof resin construction that makes it great for outdoor use. Due to its large volume, the bin is the best option for anyone looking for the model for their garden or yard.
This model is equipped with four doors in order to allow additional access points. There is also a handy lift-off lid that allows you to put more waste into the bin with a lot of ease. Best of all are the ventilation holes that are designed to allow adequate oxygen that will help the composting process finish faster. Plus, you can purchase an optional aerator, if you want to speed up the composting process.
Also, the Redmon Green Culture compost bin is an excellent model for anyone with a tight budget. The bin comes with useful composting instructions to help you assemble it without much difficulty. With these features, you will get the value for your money and improve the health of your yard with time.
The classic soil saver compost bin by Algreen Products is a good option for large households, thanks to its large capacity. When fully assembled, the compost bin measures 28” L * 28” D * 32” Height and holds a capacity of over 90 gallons.
The bin is constructed from top-notch post-industrial recycled material that renders it extremely durable and long-lasting. The rugged construction makes it possible for the bin to hold massive amounts of organic waste continually.
The classic compost bin features a self-watering locking lid that allows air to move in the bin while keeping animals out. It is equipped with two doors that easily slide, and a wide opening for easy access and removal of the finished compost. Additionally, the open base quickens the composting process by letting water and worms move through the soil.
Things We Liked:
Large capacity
Self-watering locking lid
Thick resin walls for strength and durability
Rugged, BPA-free construction
Large opening for easy retrieval
Affordable option
Things We Didn’t Like:
Comes with plastic bolts that don’t hold very well
Conclusion
If you are planning to start composting at home, the above compost bins are the perfect place to start. Nonetheless, we were more impressed by the Envirocylce Composer, and we have reasons to believe that it tops all the other composters. Apart from the fact that it is dubbed the most beautiful composter in the world, this model is a great choice for anyone who wants to start composting hassle-free. It doesn’t require any assembling, and it can make compost faster thanks to its tumbling action.
We also find it very impressive that this model can produce both solid and liquid compost. The compost tea adds additional nutrients to the soil. With these and more features, you will without a doubt get the value for your money with the Envirocylce compost bin.
Adding finished compost to your garden plant isn’t a difficult task, but you need to do it properly. There are ways to add fertilizer directly to your plant, and you need to be familiar with the process if you are going to get the best out of composting.
The main reason for starting a compost bin is to convert your household waste into useful nutrients for your plants. It will be of no use if your plants don’t get the most out of all the effort you put into the whole process.
It doesn’t matter if it is your lawn grass or garden bed, adding compost is easy and doesn’t require any specific training. Once you know when to add compost to your garden, and how to do it; you can now get the best out of all the many months and stress of composting.
How to Add Compost to Plants?
The soil characteristics and climate conditions of your area go a long way to determine how often to apply compost. If you live in regions with cold weather and a single growing season, it is best to add compost once during spring.
If you are in a region where it is possible to plant crops all year round, you can add compost twice or thrice a year, depending on how many times a year you plant on your garden. You should do this especially when you plant vegetables, herbs, and flowers; to replenish the lost nutrients after each season.
There are a lot of ways you can add compost to your existing garden plant, but we suggest that you should try any of the methods below for safe practice.
Using Compost to Amend the Soil
You can add compost to your soil by slowly using the compost to amend the soil. Since you can’t make use of forks around the roots of your shrubs and vegetables, the safer alternative will be to use your hands. With your bare hands or pair of gloves on, you can spread your compost in layers of up to 4 inches around your plants. You should leave a foot space between the stem or trunk of your plant and the fertilizer, to prevent rotting of plant parts. You can finish off the process by using a rake to mix the compost on the top of the soil, and spread it uniformly for deeper penetration into the soil.
In the Form of Compost Tea
Compost Tea is also a great way to feed your plants all the nutrients that are beneficial to their growth and development. You can do this by taking a pillowcase, and filling it will ready-made compost. Once it is full, dip it in a bucket of water, and allow it to settle for a few days. After two or three days, the compost should be ready for use. You can tell by looking at the compost tea; if the color is dark brown, it is ready for use. Fill the compost tea into a spray bottle for easy application to your plant leaves and roots. You want to make sure that you apply the compost tea evenly to all parts of your garden.
As a Mulch
You can also apply compost to your garden plant as a mulch. Before you begin the process, you want to ensure that you remove all weed and grass from around your plants. You want to do this to avoid them competing for the nutrient with your garden plants. You will need to convert the compost into smaller pieces to be able to use them as a mulch. You can do this by using a mesh to sift the large sizes from the smaller ones. You also want to be careful not to waste too much of the compost during this procedure. So you should do the sifting inside a wheelbarrow, to avoid wastage. Spread the compost uniformly on the surface of the soil, you want to be careful to avoid contact with the stem of the plant.
As a Top Dressing
Another method you can use to apply compost to your garden is as a top dressing. This method works best for lawn grass since you have to spread the compost and cover it with grass. You will have to make use of a rake to spread the compost into your lawn roots and water your garden afterward.
It is best to top-dress your lawn at the onset of spring and the end of fall.
Before Adding Compost to Your Garden
You want to ensure that you use only high-quality compost in your garden. You want to avoid using compost that contains ingredients that are toxic and can harm your plants. If you are going to be making your compost bin, you want to ensure that you make use of the right materials and follow the best composting practice.
You also want to ensure that your garden is free from weed and grasses to prevent competition for the available soil nutrients.
Compost is only safe to use on garden soil when it is fully decomposed, so you want to ensure that you check that there are no lumps or materials in the compost when adding it to your soil.
FAQ’s
Can I just put compost on top of soil?
There’s no doubt that compost is an important part of a garden, but there are some questions about how much compost to use and when.
This is a great question! It depends on the type of soil. If the soil is very sandy or clay like, then you can probably put it on top. The reason for this is that the sand and clay particles will settle down in the bottom of the pot and your compost can mix into the top layer.
How often should I add compost to my plants?
There are two general rules of thumb for adding compost to your garden. The first is that you should use compost every month, or at least every three months. This will help the soil stay healthy and retain moisture.
Can compost be added to garden after planting?
It’s best to wait until the soil is warm enough for you to work with it. If you have a tiller, you can dig the compost in and mix it with the soil after planting. If you don’t have a tiller, you could do the same thing by using a spade or hoe to break up the composted material before mixing it into the soil.
Should I water after adding compost?
You don’t need to water. It is best to not water in summer because water evaporates, and if you are watering the garden, then it will be used by the plants as a source of nutrients.
Is compost good for houseplants?
I had my doubts at first, but after watching and reading about how compost works in the soil, I’m convinced that it can be just as beneficial to houseplants.
How often should you add compost to potted plants?
If you want your plants to get the nutrients they need, add compost regularly. The amount you use depends on how large your pots are and the size of the plant you are adding them to. For example, a small pot of soil will need more compost than a larger one. To determine the best time to add compost, refer to your garden centre’s or home improvement store’s recommendations.
Why You Should Add Compost to your Garden
Using compost in your garden is as effective as adding organic fertilizers. Compost is household waste that has undergone biological breakdown and is safe to use on all garden plants. You should be aware that it is unsafe to use human waste in edible garden plants. It will be best to make use of kitchen waste instead and save the humanure for your lawn grass.
Now that you know the various methods on how to add compost to existing plants, you shouldn’t have a hard time making use of all that compost in your backyard pile. If you have any more questions or will like to contribute, feel free to make use of the comment section. We will love to hear from you.
If you are a fanatic of green living, then you would be aware of the benefits of recycling waste. It doesn’t matter if it is your leftover food or urine from your toilet, there are methods to convert it into nutrients, for the plant.
While there may not be many inquests into the safety of composting the kitchen waste, there are concerns about the safety of using human waste in the garden.
With the right knowledge on how to safely recycle toilet waste, gardeners can channel all that poo to good use.
Is It Safe to Compost Human Waste?
While it is safe to compost human waste, you should be careful not to use humanure on edible garden plants. What this means is that you can use it on ornamental plants and lawn grass, but not on your veggies and fruits.
You also should be aware that although human waste in rich in organic matter and nutrients, it is also laden with bacteria, viruses, and pathogens that are not removed by composting.
Compared to chemical fertilizers, human waste is a safer option to use on your flowers, potted plants, garden trees, and other plants that you don’t eat.
Another reason why most people shy away from composting human waste is that they can’t seem to find a neater way to do it. With the right composting devices, you can make the process easier and save yourself the hassles involved with composting.
How to Collect Human Waste?
Commercial composters are large scale facilities with the right equipment to process a high volume of waste. Night soil which is the term that is used to refer to waste collected from pit latrines, septic tanks, pail toilets, and cesspools, is used by these facilities.
They hire workers who collect the waste from the city and transport to their out of townsite.
On getting to the site, the waste is converted into fertilizer and the cycle continues. Most facilities that engage in the business have customers who are available to purchase the processed fertilizers. In most cases, large scale florists and farmers looking for organic manure for their plants.
Conversion of human waste into compost before adding to garden soil is necessary to reduce disease outbreak in the garden. These composting facilities follow procedures that manage the sludge in the faces and reduces the negative effects of the manure.
What is the Best Method of Composting Humanure?
A lot of gardeners worry about the safety of using compost on their plants. Many of them, because they do not know how to go about the process.
While you can make use of a compost bin to convert your kitchen waste to manure, it will be unhealthy to do the same with your toilet waste. So what is the best method to compost human waste?
Use a Composting Toilet
A composting toilet is the easiest way to convert your toilet waste to manure without getting your hands dirty. All you need do is to install the system and do your business, then occasionally turn the composter to speed up the whole process. There are different models of composting toilets available to choose from, so you want to do your research properly to find the one that works best for you. You should be aware that some of them cost less than $100, while you can spend up to $10,000 on some systems.
Most of the elaborate systems are built on-site and are equipped with everything you need. They are odor-free, self-contained and feature compartments where you can easily access readymade compost. Some other brands have separate paths for collecting urine and feces, while others have separate systems fitted on them. Once one of the systems is full, it is closed, and the other is opened; the process is repeated until there are no new piles available.
Tips on How to Successfully Compost Human Waste
Use a Composter
If you can’t get access to a composting toilet, but still see the need to convert your toilet waste, then you should consider using a compost tumbler instead of a bin. The reason for this is that a compost tumbler turns the pile automatically; whereas you will have to do it manually with a compost bin, which can be messy.
Keep it Dry
You want to ensure that human waste is kept dry. You have to ensure that it is covered at all times, to prevent water, snow, and moisture from getting into it. When this happens, it can make the compost smell bad, and reduce the degradation process. You shouldn’t have to worry about this with a compost tumbler since the units are completely sealed.
Use Lime
We always recommend that you add lime to your compost tumblers with human waste. Adding lime to the system helps to kill the pathogens and bacteria and speeds up the entire process. With the addition of lime, your humanure can be ready in less than 4 months, while it can take up to a year without adding lime. So if you are eager to get your result in the shortest possible time, you may want to think about using lime along with a compost tumbler.
Avoid Using it on Edible-Plants
You should avoid using human waste on your edible-garden plants. If you eat it, you shouldn’t use toilet waste on it. You don’t want to risk contracting diseases from the plants when it is ingested. You can make a separate compost bin for your kitchen waste for use on your veggies and berries, and all other plants in your garden. There is also the option of purchasing already made organic compost for use in your garden. Whatever method you choose, it doesn’t matter; so long as you don’t make use of chemical fertilizers that are unsafe for your plant and the environment.
FAQ’s
Can you use human poop for composting?
You can use it if you know how to do it properly, but generally speaking, no, human poop is not suitable for composting. It contains high levels of nitrogen and potassium, which can kill plants. In addition, it contains some dangerous pathogens, such as salmonella and E.
What are the easiest ways to compost human waste?
there are many ways to compost human waste. For example, you can collect urine in a bucket, mix it with sawdust or newspaper, and add worms. This type of composting is called vermicomposting. Or, you can collect feces and mix it with some organic matter, such as kitchen scraps or manure, and then add worms.
This process is called anaerobic composting. Another method for composting human waste is to pour the liquid portion of the waste into a pit lined with straw, and then pile the solid portion of the waste on top of the liquid. When the liquid drains into the pit, the solid waste will decay and eventually break down to form new soil. You can also compost human waste in a worm bin. A worm bin is a special container that holds worms that will eat the waste.
The worms will turn the waste into rich, fertile soil.
When shouldn’t I use human waste?
If it smells bad, DON’T. It’s not healthy for the ecosystem and will probably attract unwanted critters like flies and beetles.
Why is human waste so harmful?
It’s because the pathogens in human waste can be transferred to our food and water supplies, as well as into the environment. Pathogens are germs that cause diseases. They come from animal or human feces, as well as from insects, plants, soil and water. The term “pathogen” is used when we are speaking about bacteria, viruses, protozoa or other microorganisms.
Is human faeces alone good for plants?
The answer is a resounding “no.” The waste products of the human body have many harmful effects on plants, including soil quality and plant health.
There are two main reasons why we should be concerned about our waste:
1. The soil is the source of life. Soil acts as a filter, separating out nutrients and pollutants from the water that flows through it.
If the soil becomes polluted, it will eventually cause problems for plants.
2. Humans need food to live. When we eat food, we take in many nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fiber, and proteins. When those nutrients enter the human body, they are transformed into waste. When our waste is not properly disposed of, these nutrients can pollute our soil and waterways, which may then cause problems for other organisms, such as fish and wildlife.
Conclusion
Composting is of great benefit, as it is a great way to convert waste into organic matter for use in agriculture. If you are a gardener, you can provide your plants with rich soil nutrients by starting a backyard compost bin.
Nowadays, people are becoming more enthusiastic about saving the earth in their littlest way. One, simple way to do so is by composting. Composting does not only reduce tons of garbage to be piled up in landfills but it also yields chemical-free products that are beneficial to the family. Furthermore, it also lets you save a few coins from your pocket.
I, for one, can attest to that. Before, we usually buy vegetables and fruits in the market, and sadly, they easily wither off. After that, I tried to grow my own vegetable garden, but still, I am not quite happy with the low-quality produce. So, I tried to make my own compost, with a DIY- composter, in my garden, and luckily, I got to produce healthier vegetables for me and my family to munch on.
Now, I already have my own vegetable garden but my problem is I cannot extend it further because my DIY composter bin could not accommodate more composts for my garden. Had I known about keter® e-composter 120-gallon compost bin, I would have bought it then. This compost bin could hold up to 120 gallons of composts, and it can easily take out the bottom compost by pulling the small compartment in front.
Things to Consider Before You Buy a Compost Bin.
There are a lot of things to consider before you buy a compost bin for your garden. Compost bins are used to hold composts before it can be used in the garden. Anyone can buy a compost bin, may it be a mother who grows her own garden or a gardener who grows and sells plants and vegetables for a living. Some may opt to make a DIY composter, which I did, but for some who prefer a ready-made composter, you can easily buy them at hardware stores or even online. Before purchasing a ready-made composter, you must consider these factors first;
Size
The size of the compost bin would greatly affect the availability of your composts. If you have a smaller compost bin, let’s say less than 1 cubic meter, you have to regularly check the contents, temperature, and moisture of your composts to speed up the process. In addition, if you have a large garden, better to buy a compost bin that has a bigger capacity. It is also highly recommended that the height of your compost bin is enough for your pitchfork or shovel to be easily lifted up.
Weight
If the compost bin you are planning to buy is a tumbler type, then you would require it to be easily rotated despite its heavy load of materials. But, if you are planning to purchase a single-container compost bin, then it must be able to be easily lifted up and toppled down.
Lids
It is highly suggested to purchase a lid with a bigger opening so that you will have easy access for you to add your organic waste to your composts.
Access Panels
Other compost bins have a sliding trap door or a small compartment in front for you to easily access your finished composts. If you only have a sliding trap door make sure your spade can easily fit through it; if not, you will have to scoop your finished product manually by hand.
Aeration and Drainage Holes
Water and air are important factors that speed up your composting process. Therefore, the compost bins you are planning to buy must have good aeration and drainage holes for air and water to pass through.
The Keter E-Composter 120 Gallon compost bin is made from recycled, weather-resistant resin with a slat-like wooden texture that gives a good looking aura to it. The bin is easy to assemble, and it also has an inner wall connecting system that makes it long-lasting and tough. Furthermore, it has a sleek door that works as a leaf collector plus a watering cup on top that further speeds up composting. It comes in two earthly colors – black and brown, that you could choose from. Actually, this product has a previous version, the Keter Decorative Composter Bin with a smaller 90 Gallon capacity usually used for smaller gardens.
Pros
It is made of resin which makes it resilient to any weather condition.
Holds up to 120 gallons of compost.
Made to last long because of its inner wall system.
It can easily be assembled – even without using tools.
It is a good looking compost bin.
Cons
Once you assembled it, you cannot undo it.
It has a shorter warranty period.
Only two colors to choose from.
Features and Benefits
The most significant feature of this product is its capacity to hold a bigger amount of compost. It can hold up to 120 gallons, or 340 Litres, of compost. It is very important especially for gardeners who have wide gardens or even for a bigger household that has tons of organic waste to dispose of. If you want to see the full capacity of the product click here.
Dual-purpose Door
The next essential feature of the product is its dual-purpose door. Earlier, we have discussed the importance of a wider-opening lid to give easy access to your waste products to the compost. This dual-purpose door is not only big enough for your garbage, but it also serves as a leaf collector for the neighboring trees. It doesn’t not only make your composting process faster but it also makes your composting journey more convenient.
Long-lasting Compost Bin
Another feature that makes the product a good buy is its inner wall connecting system which makes your compost bin long-lasting. Furthermore, it also has a watering cup at the top to speed up your composting process. This is very important especially for big-time gardeners, and even for the small ones too because there will be no need to buy compost bins again and again.
Nice Design
Last but not least, you wouldn’t want your bin to be looking like scrap, just because it has loads of scrap in it. You want your compost bin to be looking sleek and in style without compromising its quality. The Keter E-Composter 120 Gallon is made of high-quality resin, which makes it resistant to any weather condition, with a slat-like wooden texture in it. It also comes in two variants: brown and black, which gives a natural look to it. To have a good picture of it just click here.
Alternatives
If you are not convinced of the product, then there are still other options you could choose from. Some of which are:
Garden Composter Bin by D.F. Omer
The Garden Composter Bin by D.F. Omer has a 110-gallon capacity, slightly lower than the Keter E-Composter, yet more expensive. It is made from recycled plastic, BPA-free, furthermore, the black PP plastic regulates moisture and heat in the composts that means a shorter period of composting time. The Garden Composter is also easy to assemble and comes with a secure lid that keeps unwanted critters from meddling with your food scrap.
Garden Composter
Keter E-Composter
110-gallon capacity
2-years warranty coverage
Easy to assemble
Price is high than Keter´s
120-gallon capacity
1-year warranty coverage
Easy to assemble
Price is cheaper
Envirocycle
Envirocycle, as they say, is the most beautiful compost bin in the world. Made of BPA and rust free products, this innovation has a sleek style to it that you could place on your balcony, patio, porch, or garden. Moreover, it has pioneered an innovative design that allows this bin to produce solid and even liquid compost. To produce a solid compost, just rotate the drum slightly above the base, consequently, the base collects the precious liquid which could also serve as a compost tea, a liquid fertilizer. Because of these features, it is expected that the Envirocycle is more on the expensive side.
Epica Stainless Steel
Epica Compost Bin is made of durable, rust-resistant stainless steel and has the capacity of only 1.3 Gallons. Because of its size, it is not recommended for use in a wide area garden but can only be used for small-time gardeners. But, the good thing about its size is that it can be placed on countertops which means you can easily put your organic waste in the bin. Additionally, there will be no more foul-smelling compost bins in your household, for the key feature of this product is that the lid comes with a replaceable activated charcoal filter that controls the pungent smell of your scrap. Compared to Keter E-Composter, Epica Stainless Steel is more affordable for our budget.
Epica Stainless Steel
Keter E-Composter
1.3 Gallon Capacity
No assembly required
Can be used indoors
Price is cheaper
120 Gallon capacity
Easy to assemble
Too big to be used indoors
Price is high than Wpica´s
If you want to learn more about the alternative products, you can easily click the product for the link or if you want more details you can search for other online stores.
FAQ’s
Is the keter decorative composter bin durable?
The keter decorative composter bin is a great and durable product that will give your composting experience a boost. This is a high quality product that has been made by an experienced manufacturer. You won’t find any inferior products from this manufacturer.
This is a product that can be used as both indoor and outdoor compost bins. It can also be used to store other items in your home. This is one of the best products that you will ever find on the market today. You can use this product as a kitchen compost bin, garage compost bin, or even as an office compost bin. The composter bin is made from weather-resistant resin. It’s sturdy and durable.
It is made from a high quality material. This means that it will last for years. You won’t have to replace the product for a long time.
It will not break down over time.
Will it look good in my home?
This is a product that has been designed to be attractive. This means that it will look good in your home. The product is also easy to clean. You won’t have to do any extra cleaning. It will stay clean all the time.It will also be easy to clean.
It won’t take up too much space in your home. If you have a small home, then this product will fit in perfectly. It’s also easy to move around. It won’t weigh down your home. It can be moved around easily. The product comes with a carrying bag. You can use this bag to move it around. It can also be used to store other items in your home. You can also keep your garden tools in the carrying bag. This way, they won’t get damaged. If you don’t want to carry the product around, then you can use the carrying bag. This will save you a lot of time.
Is it easy to clean?
Yes, it is very easy to clean and can go anywhere in the home or office space.
Why is it well-designed?
It has an automatic lid release so it won’t get stuck if the lid gets covered in manure. There is a built-in handle so you can easily move the bin around. It has a mesh base which keeps the manure from clumping and also helps to aerate the compost. The bin is very easy to clean and has a drain hole that allows for quick draining of water when needed. The bin comes with a removable stainless steel screen which can be removed for cleaning. You can easily wash this screen by hand or in a washing machine. It is easy to build the bin and you can do it yourself. The bin is made of high-quality materials and therefore will last you for a long time. It comes with a lifetime warranty so you know that you are getting a high quality product. The bin has a carrying handle which makes it easier to move around.
Conclusion:
Composting entails dirty work but for a good cause. When buying compost bins, you must make sure that the bin can last long and hold a good amount of composts. Failure to do so would mean the hustle of buying a new product again and extra costs for your garden. The Keter E-compost would be a great solution for all these problems. If you are interested to know more about the product, you can just click here.
Having a lifetime compost bin is exactly what I have been wanting to get for the longest time. Kitchen scraps and wastes from the garden should not be put aside as using a compost bin will enable it to become fertilizer. Also, not having to replace it is much more economical than having to buy a new one every few years.
Having a composting bin not only reduces waste but also promotes the healthy growth of plants and trees. Also, it reduces pollution because the wastes are being recycled as a fertilizer. A person should consider buying this item if they acquire a lot of kitchen scraps and preferably those that have a garden in their home, so the compost bin will be of great use.
Who Should Not Buy This?
It is definitely easy to purchase a compost bin but ask yourself first before buying one. Where will you use this, and why? If you decide to buy one, always consider the use of the product. If you plan to have one to have fertilizer, but you don’t have a garden yet, then there’s no point in buying this product anytime soon.
Things You Need to Think About Before Buying This Product
Choosing the Size
There are different sizes and styles to choose from, and you should make sure that you are getting the right one for your own home. Most people opt to purchase a low maintenance composting bin because of their busy lifestyles, so make sure to research about the different types and get the one that will work best for you.
It Will Take Some Time to Do
It will take a while before you get accustomed to using your compost bin, and if you have a very busy lifestyle, then buying this might not work for you. You should consider the fact that it could take up to two years (depending on the type of composting method) to achieve the proper compost. Using it simply to dispose of food scrap is not advisable because you will end up having a smelly and possibly, a mosquito-infested bin.
You Should Know How it Works First
This product is not meant to be a buy and use purchase, especially if you are a beginner. You need to research about the proper ways to use a compost bin before finally having one. Additionally, you also have to think about the pros and cons of your prospective items.
Consider the Space
It is not ideal to have a compost bin if you have limited space in your house. Let’s say you have a small garden in your backyard; it can possibly work as long as it will not be close to your doors, windows, or any entry points in your house. The reason is that even the most maintained composting bins can emit a rather unappealing smell, and you do not want your guests to be turned off because of that.
Get to Know Someone Who is Into Composting
It will be easier for you, especially if you are just starting out, to get to know someone who already knows the right process and other things that involve composting the right way. To have a healthy compost, you need to have a mixture of green and brown waste. Besides, not all the waste that you see can be put inside the composter. As an owner, it is your responsibility to know all the dos and don’ts to get the right outcome. Failing to do the right way of composting will result in a slimy compost.
Lifetime Compost Bin Review
It is much more durable than other compost bins that are available in the market because it is made from heavy-duty plastic. It is also UV-protected which means that the plastic will not break or peel even if you put it in a place that is directed to sunlight. Upon purchasing, it comes with a warranty of five years.
Pros
It is made with a polyethylene material which makes it last longer than other compost bins that are available in the market today.
It comes with a five-year warranty, which is already a steal considering that most of the companies only offer their warranties for two years or less.
The unique locking feature prevents the compost from spilling out and because of this, it keeps the rodents from going inside the bin.
Cons
Customers complain about how difficult it was to assemble. It is time-consuming to put together, especially for newbies.
Some materials that are delivered to customers are incomplete. For example, the lack of screws and drill bits.
Instructions on the manual aren’t clear enough and you have to follow it step-by-step to assemble it properly.
Features & Benefits
It has a built-in axis for smoother rotation and to balance the compost bin.
It comes with a removable lid that is large enough to put in wastes properly. This feature also has latches that are strong enough to keep the rodents from opening the lid.
It has an ample height, so you don’t need to slouch down to load scraps inside the bin.
Redmon is perfect for those young people that are starting out to compost. However, the compost bin cannot be rotated and is stationary, making it difficult for seniors to mix the scraps when you are about to add new ones inside.
Both Lifetime and Redmon have an ample opening to put in the scraps conveniently.
This compost bin is stainless steel and is small enough to be put in tight places. This is perfect for those people that have limited space in their houses.
Both Lifetime and Epica are offering various sizes for people to choose from.
FAQ’s
What Are Lifetime Compost Bins?
The idea behind the Lifetime Compost Bins is that you can use these bins to compost for free. If you have ever bought a bag of organic waste at the supermarket, you might have wondered why it’s so expensive. The reason is that it’s difficult to compost it yourself, and most people don’t have access to a large enough bin. Lifetime Compost Bins are designed to help solve this problem.
They are made from recycled materials, and are designed to allow you to compost your food waste in a convenient way. If you are looking to save money on your weekly shop, then these are the perfect solution for you. You can compost for free, using your own organic waste.
How Do Lifetime Compost Bins Work?
There are two main ways that these bins work. Firstly, they are designed to be filled with your food waste. This is great, because it means that you won’t need to buy any more bags of organic waste. Secondly, they have been designed to be a convenient size. They are the right size for most households.
Alternatively, if you want to get more out of these bins, then you can compost your food waste in these bins, and add it to your existing compost heap. This way you will be recycling your food waste, while still being able to compost it.
What are they made out of?
Lifetime Compost Bins are made from recycled plastic. They are made to be very durable and easy to use. They are made from durable, heavy-duty materials that will last you a long time. These bins come in different sizes so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Is it a good option for those who are new too composting?
A Lifetime Compost Bin is usually a small, plastic bin that allows you to safely and easily compost your kitchen scraps. The Lifetime Compost Bin is ideal for those who are new to composting or simply want a more convenient option than a large pile of compost in their backyard. The Lifetime Compost Bin also works great as an alternative to a garbage can. The Lifetime Compost Bin is an attractive, compact bin that is easy to use.
What sizes does it come in?
Lifetime Compost Bins come in several sizes: 5-Gallon, 15-Gallon, 20-Gallon, and 30-Gallon. The largest size is perfect for large families or for someone who has a large amount of food waste. The smallest size is ideal for a small home with little food waste. The Lifetime Compost Bins are manufactured from high quality, food grade plastic and will not leach any harmful chemicals into the soil or water.
Conclusion
If you are into gardening and would like to purchase a compost bin to make it more convenient for you to have a fertilizer at home rather than purchasing it outside, then Lifetime Compost Binis a worthy product to choose. First of all, compost bins reduce pollution, help produce healthy plants and trees, and prevent pests from damaging your plants. If you are interested, please check out the product and its features here.
I tend to use wax paper quite often when kneading bread or rolling out pie crusts before baking. After all, it’s really helpful in preventing food from sticking onto surfaces, not to mention it has various other uses as well.
If you practice composting and use a wax paper on a regular basis like me, you might ask: can you compost wax paper? Let’s find out.
Can You Compost Wax Paper?
The answer can be either yes or no. If you’re planning to compost your wax paper after use, then you might want to reconsider. A wax paper can be made of either soybean wax or paraffin.
Soybean wax is an organic vegetable wax derived from soybean oil and is most often used in making candles. Upon harvest, the beans are then cleaned, cracked, and processed into flakes where the oil is extracted from. The oil then undergoes hydrogenation which converts unsaturated fats to saturated. This will raise the wax’s melting point, thereby causing it to become solid at room temperature. The finished product is then referred to as soybean wax or simply soy wax.
On the other hand, paraffin wax is derived as a byproduct of oil purification via a dewaxing process which crude oil goes through. It’s commonly used in a variety of applications including candles, cosmetics, commercial items, wax papers, and more.
Now let’s go back to the main topic.
Basically, it’s possible to compost wax paper based on the type of wax used to coat it. Soybean wax is organic; however, since it is a wax, microbes will have a hard time digesting it. On the other hand, petroleum-based is not, and it should be kept away from your compost or even your garden.
Another thing you have to consider is the process used by wax paper manufacturers. Some of them use bleach or chlorine during the papermaking process. While bleach is ideal for destroying pathogens as well as harmful microbes at home, they shouldn’t go into your garden.
This is because it will end up killing all those beneficial microbes which are essential for the composting process. Aside from that, it will also affect your plant’s growth, even kill it altogether.
That said, if you’re planning to place the wax paper into your compost bin, you want to make sure it’s coated with organic soybean wax and comes unbleached. However, you have to keep in mind that wax repels moisture. Therefore, your wax paper will remain in your compost for a little while before being completely decomposed.
Why an Unbleached Paper Matters?
Since paper is generally made from wood, it will appear brown in its natural state. However, to change a paper’s appearance to white (and make it look more appealing), it will have to undergo pulp bleaching – that’s where the problem begins.
Although there are different ways of bleaching, most bleached papers will be treated with some type of chlorine-based bleach. The reason is because chlorine is capable of bleaching paper to give it that really white appearance. Apart from that, it also removes the lignin compound in wood which is the reason why paper gets yellow when exposed to the sun. This is a common case among newspapers (due to this, they are chlorine-free and will, therefore, go well in your compost bins).
The problem with chlorine is that when it binds with compounds like lignin in wood pulp, it will produce dioxins and other byproducts which are highly toxic and can cause damage to living systems. It is for this reason why wax papers consisting of bleached paper are not advised for composting as they can only kill off those beneficial microbes that are vital for composting.
What Are Your Options?
From what we have gathered, we can confirm that wax paper is compostable as long as it’s unbleached and coated with soybean wax. However, if you don’t prefer putting it in your compost bin, you can reuse it instead.
In fact, wax paper can be reused given that it’s not soiled with any food or grease. You can simply clean it and reuse it for another cooking batch. However, do keep in mind that it is not recyclable due to its wax coating. The paper recycling process involves mixing the paper with water then turning it to a slurry.
Unfortunately, wax and water don’t mix, so wax paper isn’t viable for recycling. Once soaked with grease, it can be considered contaminated as it won’t be possible to remove the grease out of it. It’s also impossible to remove the wax layer off the paper to make it recyclable.
That said, another option you can use is simply to dispose of your used wax paper properly and go green instead. As mentioned earlier, go for unbleached paper with a soybean wax coating instead of paraffin. You can also try to reduce your usage of wax paper or opt for cellulose bags which are recyclable paper products that can decompose within 30-90 days.
You may also opt for Ziploc plastic bags which can be recycled at some recycling centers (though you’ll have to check your local recycling center first). Just make sure to check the recycling guidelines in your area if they’re accepting plastic #4.
Alternatively, you can instead cook recipes that don’t rely too much on the use of wax papers or even parchment papers. There’s actually a handful of them you can find out there.
FAQ’s
Can you compost waxed paper?
You can use waxed paper, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
First of all, the wax coating on the paper won’t melt down into the compost. This is good. The wax itself will melt down into the compost, but it won’t harm the bin. The problem comes when the paper melts. If you place a piece of waxed paper on top of the compost bin while it’s heating up, the heat from the heating element will melt the paper.
This means that the paper will begin to emit gases and odors which will eventually have to be vented outside. The compost won’t smell. It just will have some odors emanating from it. The paper is not a barrier to composting. It doesn’t stop anything.
How can you control the smell?
The best way to prevent this is to use a composting bin without any waxed paper on top. The compost will heat up more slowly, which will cause less emissions. This isn’t always possible. Many people use waxed paper because they can put the compost in the bin after they take out the compost material. They don’t want to disturb the compost material. If you do use a composting bin with waxed paper, the best way to prevent this is to put a plastic bag over the top of the bin and then put a lid on the plastic bag. This will cause the paper to become much cooler than the air around it.
You don’t have to wait until the bin is full to put the bag on top. Just leave the bag there until the compost is done. The next way to prevent the smell is to make sure that you keep the bin clean. If you don’t, then the smell will come from the rotting compost materials. It is very important to keep the bin clean so that the materials can break down properly.
How long does wax paper take to decompose?
It depends on the temperature and humidity. If it’s hot outside, your wax paper might be ready to go faster. If it’s cold outside, wax paper might not decompose as fast.
Generally speaking it should take somewhere between 2 to 4 weeks to decompose.
Is the wax on wax paper toxic?
As long as it is food grade wax paper, it isn’t toxic and you can use it for compost with confidence. It may look like it may have harmful chemicals but for the most part you’re good to go.
If you’re wondering about what the thin coating on wax paper is, it is called paraffin wax and can be composted without any problems.
Conclusion
If you just can’t seem to shake off your usage of wax papers, then make sure to go for these eco-friendly options:
Instead of buying paraffin-coated, bleached wax papers the next time you buy on the local grocery, make sure to go for those coated with soybean wax and are unbleached.
Or better yet, instead of composting them, throw them into your garbage bin and keep them away from your garden for better measures.
Have you tried placing your used wax papers in your compost bin? What are the results so far? Please let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
With the right compost tea feeding schedule, you can provide your plants with all the nutrition they need to grow. Imagine not having to worry about your yield at the end of the growing season.
While compost tea is useful in the garden, not all gardeners are familiar with how best to prepare or use compost tea in the garden. If you are one such gardener, you are in the right place. You can read up more about compost tea and the best feeding schedule for your plants below.
What is Compost Tea?
The simplest way to define compost tea is the result of soaking a bag of compost in water. You can imagine soaking your tea bag in a cup of boiling water; it is the same thing.
There are several ways to go about making compost tea, but all of them involve transferring the nutrient from the compost to the water. Just like with your morning tea, to get the nutrient in the bag, you have to soak it in water. So the two things you need to make compost tea is compost and water.
Most gardeners have their brewing methods depending on the plant. It is one of the benefits of compost tea; you can experiment with it to find what works best in your garden.
If you have an indoor garden, or you make compost tea frequently, you may consider getting some gears to help make things easier.
How to Make Compost Tea?
Making compost tea is as easy as diluting fresh compost mix in water. Introducing air in the mix improves the concentration of organic matter. Aerobic compost tea is rich in nutrition than with oxygen in the mix. With oxygen in the mix, the microbial solution in the soil increases, which further enhances the plant’s immune system.
The aeration process is the most important aspect of brewing compost tea. Most gardeners get the process wrong which can harm the plants, and make the compost tea to stink. Your best bet is to keep the compost tea aerated until you are ready to make use of it.
You can make use of an airline to aerate your compost tea. Removing the airline will cause the microbes in the mix to die.
A compost brewing unit is a suitable gear for making rich compost tea. You can liken it to a coffee machine. You can save yourself the stress of making compost tea by purchasing a small unit for your plants. Breaking down oxygen is a lot easier with a brewer. You can make use of airstones with the brewer to ensure oxygen is available for microbial activity.
Before Applying Compost Tea
Your compost tea should be ready for use from the third day after soaking it. For the best result, you should soak your compost for a week. You will need to allow up to seven days for the compost to dissolve in water.
After you are satisfied that the compost tea is ready, you will have to remove the debris from the compost tea. You can do this by using a cloth to strain the tea. You will have to do this if you intend to make use of a foliar spray.
Applying Compost Tea
There are different methods you can adopt to apply compost tea to your plants. You have to try a few of the methods to find one that works well with you. The best way to apply compost tea is by:
Foliar Application
The simplest way to apply compost tea is with the help of a foliar spray. Spraying your leaves with compost tea is a quick way to accelerate the nutrient supply to your plants.
You can also spray it directly to the roots of the plant. If you make use of a watering can, you can get the compost tea to reach both the leaves and root. It doesn’t matter what you use in spraying your plants, so long as you can get the compost tea to reach all parts of the plant.
Best Time to Apply Compost Tea
When is the best time to have a cup of coffee? In the mornings, right? So also it is with your plants. You should apply compost tea in the mornings before the sun is high in the sky. The compost tea needs to be absorbed by the plants and the soil. And the best time to feed your plants is in the morning before the sun is hot. Applying your compost tea in the afternoon when the sun is out will cause some of the tea to evaporate in the heat.
You can also apply compost in the evenings when the temperature is below 80 degrees. You also want to avoid applying compost tea when it is windy. High winds are capable of drying up moisture, thereby reducing the nutrients available for your plant.
You should apply compost tea weekly for the best result. You may need to make it twice a week on the newly transplanted bed to improve the nutrient condition of the growing medium.
In most cases, you can apply compost tea directly without having to dilute it further with water. If you make use of manure as compost material, you should avoid adding too much compost tea to your plants. Manure is high in nitrogen, and this can alter the nitrogen level of the compost tea.
FAQ’s
How often do you feed compost tea?
It has been made for thousands of years from various sources. It has been used as a fertilizer and as a means of pest control. Compost tea is safe to use on food crops.
Compost tea is a concentrated liquid fertilizer that you can use as a foliar spray or an all-purpose garden or lawn fertilizer. Compost tea is made from organic materials that are broken down by microorganisms and left to ferment in a bucket or barrel for several weeks. This process creates a nutrient-rich, dark, milky liquid that has the potential to be even more potent than compost itself.
If you’re a gardener, then you know that you need to give your plants the nutrition they need to grow. As gardeners, we have to be conscious of what we’re giving our plants and how often.
Compost tea is a very popular fertilizer for gardens. Most gardeners apply one or more of these types of fertilizer each week. In the case of compost tea, this is called a liquid fertilizer.
Can you over fertilize with compost tea?
You can over-fertilize with compost tea, but if you do, be sure to read up on how much compost tea you should use, since you will need to add water and/or nutrients to the tea in order for it to work.
How fast does compost tea work?
Compost tea is a liquid that contains living organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, which break down the organic matter in compost and other yard waste to release nutrients.
The first thing to know about compost tea is that it will work. It can take weeks, or even months, for compost tea to fully break down and start working on the target microbe or bacteria that’s causing your problem. However, you’ll notice a difference almost immediately after adding compost tea to your plants.
How long does compost tea keep?
In a closed container, I’d expect it to last a few months. My compost tea is almost four years old and still smells great.
What is the ratio of compost tea to water?
The ratio of tea to water varies with the amount of organic material added to the tea. For a standard recipe, you’d use 1 cup of tea to 2 cups of water. This would yield 1 quart of tea.
How do I know when compost is ready?
You can tell when your compost is ready by the smell. You will notice that the compost has reached its peak of activity, and it’s time to put it in the garden or pot. This means that the compost has become rich, dark and moist. The air should be warm but not too hot.
Take Away
The type of compost used determines how rich the compost tea will be, so you must make use of compost with rich organic matter. You should be careful with the mineral concentration of your compost tea. Remember, too much nitrogen in your compost tea, for example, can burn your plants.
You also want to avoid using chlorinated water for compost tea. You should also avoid adding slake lime to your water.
Now that you are familiar with the compost tea feeding schedule above, you shouldn’t have a hard time preparing a quick fix for your plants.
If you are starting a compost pile, one of the challenges you will face is knowing when your compost is ready for use. It is not like a fruit that you can tell when it is ripe, but you should know that your compost pile like fruits sure do get ripe.
There is no saying how long it will take for your compost pile to be ready, this is because there are factors that can decide whether your compost will be ready in a few months or years.
Knowing when your compost is ready is important if you intend recycling your kitchen waste for use in your garden.
So how then can you tell when compost is ready?
How to Tell When Compost is Ready
Yes, you heard right, finished compost looks like a dark brown crumbled piece of dirt. You almost cannot ignore the appearance of finished compost. It smells different than it used to during the early stage of decomposition. Instead of the rotting smell of vegetables and the wet bacteria-laden bin you are used to, you begin to notice that the bin smells less offensive, and stays dry.
There is no science to determining when your compost is ready to be used in your garden. You don’t need to perform any laboratory test or make use of any fancy gadget. You can easily tell your compost is ready by merely looking at it.
If you are up for it, and willing to spend some cash, you can perform a home test on your compost to see if it is ready for use. These home tests lookout for many criteria when checking the compost. Some of these criteria include the temperature of the compost, microbial activity, and pH concentration.
You need to ensure that you use only mature compost on your plants. Making use of immature compost can result in complications in your garden. You don’t want anything to affect your yield at the end of the planting season.
Immature compost contains contaminants that can damage your plants. These include pathogens and toxic acids. You can reduce the presence of contaminants in your compost by scrutinizing the types of materials you add to your compost pile.
Before we get into the time frame for compost to be ready, let’s take a quick look at some of the things that affect compost time.
Things that Affects Compost Time?
Moisture Content
Your compost pile needs to be moist enough to support microbial activity. Adding moisture to a compost pile is easy, you can do this by wetting with water once or twice weekly. You also want to be careful not to overwater the compost pile.
When there is too much water in your compost, it can cause the bin to smell bad, and also make it difficult for other activities to take place.
In a situation when you notice that there is too much moisture in the pile, you can balance things up by adding in more materials to the bin. You want to also ensure you balance things out when reintroducing more ingredients into the compost pile. If you add in more green materials, do well to balance out, by adding brown materials as well.
Not Enough Oxygen
Another important factor needed for decomposition to take place is air. There needs to be enough oxygen in the compost pile to encourage the microbial activities going on in the bin.
You will occasionally need to turn the compost pile if you are using a bin. You can do this by using a garden fork to turn the materials in the bin. You may need to do this once or twice weekly to ensure that air circulates in the bin. You can save yourself the stress of turning the pile by purchasing a tumbler. Compost tumblers are designed to turn the compost automatically so you don’t have to do it yourself. You can also consider getting one if you stay in an apartment building as they eliminate most of the unpleasantness associated with composting.
Size of Materials
You also want to consider the size of the materials you throw into your compost bin. Large materials have a hard time decomposing, and that is if they ever do. You should size down all materials to the barest minimum. Make use of shredder if you have to, it is better than throwing in your old newspapers like that.
Materials
The materials themselves also determine if your compost will take longer to mature or not.
You want to avoid adding any materials that contain toxic ingredients such as paints, and chemical finishes. They can delay the decomposition time of the material and the potency of your compost.
Balance the carbon to nitrogen ratio of the compost pile by using the right amount of brown and green materials.
Heat
Your compost pile needs to be hot enough to support microbial activity. You can easily achieve this by placing your compost bin at a section of your garden with direct access to sunlight. Using a compost tumbler will save you the stress of finding a suitable heat source for your compost. Truth is you don’t need to spend extra on a tumbler if you can find a suitable heat source.
Composting, or vermicomposting, is a great way to recycle your kitchen scraps into something useful for the garden. However, it’s also important to monitor the process and know when your compost is ready.
There are several ways to tell when your compost is ready. The most obvious is when it begins to smell really good. If you are composting in a bin, you should also be able to see the compost matting begin to separate and the air movement within the pile start to increase.
How long does it take to get finished compost?
This is a good question and one that we often get asked. The answer depends on several factors, including the type of compost you are creating. Composting can be slow or fast. In general, the slower the process the better the quality of the end product. If you are creating a compost pile, you will need to wait until the composting material breaks down.
Slow composting can take up to two years and should be used for garden beds and flower borders. It is best for soil amendments as well as compost that is used in landscape beds or flower gardens. A good compost pile will be dark brown in color and have a strong odor. You should also see worms and other beneficial insects in the pile. The fastest composting method is to use a pile with the intention of using it within a few months.
What does bad compost look like?
A few things. You can see it in a pile with dark green leaves on top and mostly brown stuff underneath. Or you can see it in the soil beneath your plants, as dark patches that look very much like mold. But it’s more than just looking at the compost.
Compost should be a rich, dark, black color. If it’s not, then there are problems with the ingredients or the process. It should smell good, too. If you have a composter, you can check out the condition of the ingredients yourself. If you don’t have one, you can buy composting bins.
What do you do with finished compost?
There are many different ways to use finished compost. In a greenhouse, you can use it to fertilize your plants, to water-proof the soil in raised beds, or even to mulch around trees. If you have a yard, you can use it to top-dress your lawn. You can also apply it to your vegetable garden as a mulch or fertilizer. You might even use it as a garden floor for your vegetables.
Does finished compost smell?
The smell of finished compost is a combination of several things. Some odors are from the microbes breaking down the organic material, some are from the nutrients and minerals being broken down by the microbes, and some come from the air in your pile. Here’s what you can expect when the compost has reached its peak of maturity:
Humidity is high, but not so much that it gets moldy. If you live in a humid area or have an area that gets a lot of rain, this may be too dry for your taste. There will be little to no ammonia, though there might be some carbon dioxide.
How Long Does It Take for Compost to be Ready?
When you follow the right composting practice, your compost pile can be ready in less than a month. It can be quicker if you make use of a compost tumbler.
On average, it can take several months for your compost to reach maturity. You also need to know that it can take more than a year too. It all depends on whether or not you choose to follow the right methods.
Your compost will begin decomposing once the worms and bugs get to work. If there is one sign to look out for that says your compost is on the right course to maturity, is the worms and bugs that swarm around inside the bin. They are the ones responsible for turning your kitchen waste into rich organic matter.
Do you have any problems preparing a compost pile? Or achieving any success composting? Let us know in the comment section, and we will be glad to help.
Pine needles are abundant in nature and found in all parts of the world. They are a rich source of organic matter and are usually added to a compost pile or used as a side mulch. The best way to get the maximum result from adding pine needles to your compost is to ensure that other materials are present in the right proportion.
One of the reasons why most people are against adding pine needles to their compost is because it decomposes slowly. But pines are not the only materials in your compost pile that take too long to break down your eggshells also take a while to get ready.
Before we get into how best to compost pine needles, let us first find out how safe it is to include pine in your compost.
Are Pine Needles Good for Compost?
Composting allows you to convert kitchen waste into pure nutrients for garden plants. So if you do have indoor plants or a front lawn, you may want to consider setting aside your kitchen scrap for the compost bin. Not all materials are compostable, before adding any household waste into a compost bin, you need to confirm that it is organic. What this means is that you cannot include any synthetic material made from chemicals and other additives.
If you look through your trash can, the chances are that you should be able to find organic materials that you can include in your compost bin.
If you happen to have pine trees growing in your yard, or close to your garden, you can collect fresh pine needles and add them to your compost pile.
Some people believe pine needles to be acidic and alter the pH level of the soil when added to it. The truth is that the pH of pine needles ranges between 3.2 and 3.8 when freshly collected, but after composting, it loses all its acidity as a result of the other materials in the bin.
Pine needles are good for compost as they are a rich source of carbon for your compost. Their acidic nature makes pine a good addition to the soil of acid-loving plants. Examples of plants that do well in acidic soil are raspberry, rhododendrons, gardenias, and strawberries. So if you have them planted in your garden, you can add in some pine cones or needles next time you make a compost pile.
Composting Pine Needles
A lot of people with a pine tree in their garden don’t bother to rake or clear the fallen leaves. They leave them on the ground to act as mulch for the tree. There is no problem with this method if you are not interested in a compost pile. One good thing about pine needle is that they don’t litter the place when they fall. So you can leave them without worrying about the mess. The pine needles break down slowly and add nutrients to the soil for reabsorption by the tree.
But if you are interested in making a compost pile with some pine needles, the process is relatively easy. All you need is to
1. Get a compost bin. You can find one to buy or construct one yourself if you can. The compost bin needs to be large enough to fit all the materials you toss inside. It doesn’t have to be too tight, it also does not have to be spacious. The right bin should fit all the materials you put inside it and be spacious enough to allow air to circulate. You have to consider this if you want your compost to be ready quickly.
2. Once you have acquired the right size of the compost bin, you will then need to collect some fresh pine needles. Collect as much as you can and then shred them into tiny pieces. You can do this by running your lawnmower over the heap of pine needles several times. Shredding is an important part of composting. All materials you add to your compost pile need to be broken down. You need to do this if you want the compost to be ready quickly.
3. You first need to throw in some grass clipping or vegetable peels to the bottom of your compost bin. The clippings and plant waste need to reach up to 8 inches in the bin. The next step is to sprinkle water on the clippings. You need to be careful to ensure you don’t soak them in water.
4. You can then add your freshly chopped pine needles into the bowl. You want to be careful to avoid using too many pine needles in your compost bin. Pine needles shouldn’t be more than 10% of the materials in your compost bin. Add 3 inch of pine needles to the 8 inches of grass clippings already in the bin.
5. Add in some water to the pine needles as you did with the grass clippings.
6. Once the pine needles are moist, the next step is to include some horse manure into the mix. You can make use of chicken or cow manure if you can access horse shit.
7. After adding the manure, you can now water the pile again like you did when you added the grass clippings and the pine needles.
8. You will need to repeat the process of adding grass clippings and pine needles if those are the only materials you are composting. Other materials such as kitchen waste, cardboard paper, and wood chips are equally good compostable materials.
9. After filling your compost bin with the right materials, you need to keep it in a section of your garden with direct access to sunlight. This way, the materials can get heated and decompose quickly. You also need to ensure you turn the pile regularly so as the materials can get access to air and heat. When you follow the right composting practice, your compost pile should be ready for use in a month or two.
If you are composting indoors, you can make use of compost tumblers instead of bins, they are safe to use in your apartment building. You can also make use of them to compost your pine needles and kitchen waste if you like to reduce food wastage.
FAQs
How long does it take for pine needles to compost?
It depends on the type of pine, how much you pile, and how much water you give them. It will also depend on the amount of organic matter in your soil. The longer the pine sits, the more beneficial.
This also helps reduce the risk of diseases like black spot.
Are pine needles good for garden beds?
Pine needles are actually a very valuable and useful part of the landscape, so here’s the scoop. Pine needles are the leaf buds of pines. They are produced during the spring and summer months as the trees begin to grow new leaves. As the needles fall to the ground, they may be harvested and used as mulch or even as firewood.
They also make a great soil amendment for your garden beds. Pine needles have several advantages over other types of mulch. First, they are easy to use. Simply rake up the pine needles, and they’ll add organic matter and nitrogen to your soil without adding bulk. The pine needles break down into humus quickly, so they don’t require much attention after you’ve added them to your garden beds. The needles are also free from diseases and pests that can affect other types of mulch.
Pine needles aren’t just useful as a mulch; they can also be used to control plant diseases and insects. Since pine needles are an excellent source of nitrogen, they can help promote healthy root growth and help plants tolerate drought and other stresses.
What plants can I use pine needles on?
Pine needles are an easy way to add a little extra color and texture to your garden. Not only will they provide some of the nutrients your plant needs, but they also help keep the soil cool in hot weather. You can find pine needles at most gardening stores, and they’re usually used for landscaping purposes (rather than food).
You can use pine needles as mulch or you can spread them around your garden. Pine needles provide a lot of nutrients for plants, and they’ll help your garden stay healthy and attractive. As long as you don’t let the pine needles get too wet, they’ll be fine. Pine needles are an easy way to add a little extra color and texture to your garden.
Is pine mulch good for vegetable garden?
Pine mulch is just another option, not necessarily the best one, but if you have to use something you should make sure it’s safe for your plants. Pine mulch is not as effective as wood mulch because the nutrients from the pine mulch leach out faster. Some people like it because it looks pretty in their flower beds, but it may not be worth the cost.
