How Does Composting Work Regarding Recycling?
Composting is a way of recycling kitchen and garden waste into a rich soil. It is easily done at home whether you have a large garden or a few potted plants on your balcony. Compost adds nutrients to garden soil and increases the soils aggregation, improving drainage and soil mycorrhizal activity. Does this Spark an idea?
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What is Composting
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Composting is a natural biological process of decay. It is a method of recycling that uses bacteria, fungi, worms and other soil organisms to break down dead plant material. Composting manages this process helping it to speed up. By controlling the amount and type of wastes added to the compost and monitoring the amount of oxygen and moisture the compost receives, a nutrient-rich soil like substance called humus or compost is produced.
How It Works
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During composting organic wastes are broken down aerobically into simple chemical elements like nitrogen phosphorus and potassium that plants use for growth. The substance is a fiber-rich material ideal for gardens. Composting produces carbon dioxide and heat. If there is enough material the compost pile heats up enough to kill weed seeds, herbicides and pesticides.
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Suitable Materials
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Suitable dead plant materials to use for composting include kitchen scraps like coffee grounds and vegetable peelings. Avoid using meat scraps and bones. These attract undesirable animals like cats and dogs to your compost. Wastes from the garden suitable for the compost include grass clippings, weed plants that have not gone to seed, and plant prunings. Cutting the scraps into small pieces speeds up the decomposition process.
Why Compost
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Composting is a sustainable way to reduce the amount of garbage you send to the landfill every week. Kitchen and garden wastes make up 30 percent of typical household garbage. Making compost is an easy and economical way to make a natural, rich soil like fertilizer for your houseplants and garden. Adding compost to your garden or potted plants increases plant growth and improves plant health.
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References
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