For the longest time, I believed that composting was one of those gardening myths – most gardeners talked about but I had never actually seen anyone compost. The whole process just seemed too simple to me – I toss my garbage into a big heap and then dump it on my plants? It seemed simultaneously too simple and too complicated for me to grasp.
Turns out, composting actually can be that simple, thanks to Home Composting Made Easy. Once you know what you can compost, you’ve basically mastered the art of composting, all while helping not only your garden but also the environment. Yeah, we’re talking some serious reusing and recycling here.
Let’s jump right in!
1. Food Scraps
Food waste is a huge problem, but composting your food waste is a major win. Peels and rinds make for a great green source in your composting pile, so long as you balance these by adding some brown materials on top, like leaves. Make sure you do not add any meats or overly greasy foods as these can tend to attract animals and pests, as well as create a major stink in your backyard.
2. Egg Shells
Egg shells are absolutely packed with nutrients and plants love them. While egg shells do make an excellent source of green material, you don’t even need to compost them – just spread crushed egg shells around the topsoil of your garden to see some amazing results!
3. Coffee Grounds & Tea Bags
Coffee grounds can be a nightmare on your garbage disposal system and tossed-out tea bags will only find their way to the nearest landfill. Save yourself the trouble and toss these two into your nearest compost bin. Coffee grounds and tea leaves are another perfect green source and also encourage healthy microbes in your compost! Fun fact: Spread used coffee grounds around the topsoil of your hydrangea for a cool surprise!
4. Grass Clippings & Dead Plants
Before you toss those yard trimmings into your trash bin, think about also adding grass clippings and any other dead plant material to your compost. However, think twice before adding any hardy weeds to your compost pile as they can take root and regrow, ruining your entire decomposition process. Keep in mind that adding any wood ashes, charcoal, or lime to your compost can also be detrimental to the pH balance of your compost pile.
5. Leaves
Although we have already discussed this amazing and free compost material, I think it never hurts to have a reminder. Fall leaves are literally the easiest and most readily available brown source. Whether you’re a new composter or old pro, fallen leaves are a staple in the composting community – and for good reason!
6. Hay & Straw
Hay and straw, like leaves, are another solid brown source for your compost pile. Try chopping it up into smaller pieces to help speed along the decomposition process, otherwise, you might be waiting a little while for some results.
Let us know in the comments about your composting adventures!
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