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Composting

Passive Composting Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

by Gregory February 7, 2021

written by Gregory 4 minutes read

Composting Made Easy: A Comprehensive Guide to Passive Composting

Introduction

Composting is a great way to turn your yard and kitchen waste into nutrient-rich soil for your garden. But what if you don’t have a compost bin or the time to turn your compost regularly? That’s where passive composting comes in.

What is Passive Composting?

Passive composting is a low-maintenance way to compost. It’s also known as “add as you go” composting, because you simply add your kitchen scraps and yard waste to the pile as you generate them. The bacteria and microbes in the pile will do the rest of the work, breaking down the organic matter into compost.

Benefits of Passive Composting

Passive composting is a great option for beginners and experienced composters alike. Here are some of the benefits:

Easy to do: Just add your kitchen scraps and yard waste to the pile, and the bacteria and microbes will do the rest of the work.
No need to turn the pile: Passive compost piles don’t need to be turned regularly, so you can save time and energy.
Doesn’t heat up: Passive compost piles don’t heat up like traditional compost piles, so you don’t have to worry about attracting pests or creating a fire hazard.
Good for winter composting: Passive compost piles can be used in winter, even in cold climates.

How to Make a Passive Compost Pile

Making a passive compost pile is easy. Here are the steps:

Choose a location: Choose a spot in your yard that is well-drained and gets some sun.
Build the pile: Start by adding a layer of browns (such as dry leaves, straw, or cardboard) to the bottom of the pile. Then, add a layer of greens (such as kitchen scraps, grass clippings, or manure). Continue alternating layers of browns and greens until the pile is about 3 feet tall.
Water the pile: Water the pile lightly to help the bacteria and microbes get started.
Add to the pile as you go: As you generate kitchen scraps and yard waste, add them to the pile.
Wait: It will take several months for the compost to break down. Once it is finished, it will be dark brown and crumbly.

Maintaining a Passive Compost Pile

Passive compost piles require very little maintenance. However, there are a few things you can do to keep your pile healthy and productive:

Keep the pile moist: The compost pile should be moist but not soggy. If the pile is too dry, the bacteria and microbes will not be able to break down the organic matter. If the pile is too wet, it will become anaerobic and start to smell.
Turn the pile occasionally: Turning the pile will help to aerate it and speed up the composting process. However, turning is not necessary for passive compost piles.
Add browns and greens as needed: As you add kitchen scraps and yard waste to the pile, make sure to add browns and greens in equal proportions. This will help to keep the pile balanced and prevent it from becoming too acidic or too alkaline.

Troubleshooting Passive Composting

If you are having problems with your passive compost pile, here are a few things to check:

The pile is too dry: Add water to the pile and mix it up.
The pile is too wet: Turn the pile to aerate it and let it dry out.
The pile is not breaking down: Add more browns to the pile. Browns help to provide carbon, which is necessary for the composting process.
The pile is attracting pests: Cover the pile with a tarp or screen to keep out pests.

Conclusion

Passive composting is a great way to turn your yard and kitchen waste into nutrient-rich soil for your garden. It’s easy to do, doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, and can be done in winter. So what are you waiting for? Start composting today!

Composting and Soil Management

Vermicomposting: Turn Your Kitchen Scraps into Garden Gold | Easy Guide for Beginners

by Donna August 17, 2020

written by Donna 3 minutes read

Vermicomposting: Turning Kitchen Scraps into Garden Gold

Introduction

Vermicomposting is a cool way to turn your kitchen scraps into a super-rich fertilizer for your plants using earthworms. These special worms, called vermicompost worms, munch on organic stuff like your kitchen scraps and poop out something called castings. And guess what? These castings are like treasure for your garden!

Why Vermicompost is Amazing

Vermicompost is packed with more of the nutrients that plants need to grow strong and healthy, like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, than regular compost. It’s also got these tiny helpers called microbes that give plants a boost.

The Best Worms for the Job

Not all earthworms are cut out for vermicomposting. The rockstars in this field are red wigglers (Eisenia fetida) and redworms (Lumbricus rubellus). These guys love hanging out in compost and are super easy to care for.

Where to Find Vermicomposting Worms

You won’t find red wigglers in your backyard soil, but you might spot redworms near compost piles or under rotting logs. The tricky part is telling them apart from other worms. To be safe, it’s best to buy them from a local supplier or order them online.

Starting Your Vermicomposting Bin

To get started, you’ll need about a pound of worms (that’s about 1,000 of them). Don’t worry, they’re not smelly, so you can keep them inside all year round. Your worms will need a special bin filled with bedding like shredded cardboard or coconut coir.

Feeding Your Worms

Just like you, your worms need to eat! Feed them about half a pound of kitchen scraps per pound of worms each day. They love veggie peelings, fruit scraps, and even coffee grounds.

Harvesting Vermicompost

After a few months, your worms will have turned your kitchen scraps into a dark, crumbly treasure trove of vermicompost. To harvest it, simply separate the castings from the worms using a mesh screen.

Benefits of Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting is a great way to:

Reduce kitchen waste
Create nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden
Save money on store-bought fertilizers
Teach kids about the wonders of nature

Conclusion

Vermicomposting is a fun and rewarding way to turn your kitchen scraps into garden gold. By choosing the right worms, feeding them regularly, and harvesting the vermicompost, you’ll have a steady supply of organic fertilizer to keep your plants thriving.

Fertilizers and Soil Amendments

Chicken Manure: A Natural Fertilizer for Bountiful Vegetable Gardens

by Donna March 22, 2020

written by Donna 3 minutes read

Chicken Manure: A Natural Fertilizer for Vegetable Gardens

Introduction

Chicken manure is a great natural fertilizer for vegetable gardens. It’s packed with nutrients that plants need to grow healthy and strong. However, it’s important to use chicken manure correctly to avoid any problems.

Benefits of Chicken Manure Fertilizer

Chicken manure fertilizer offers several benefits for vegetable plants:

Rich in nutrients: Chicken manure contains essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are crucial for plant growth.
Improves soil structure: Chicken manure helps improve soil structure by adding organic matter, which enhances water retention and nutrient holding capacity.
Enhances aeration and drainage: Chicken manure improves soil aeration and drainage, allowing roots to breathe and absorb nutrients more effectively.
Supports microbial activity: The organic matter in chicken manure fuels microbial activity in the soil, which helps break down other organic materials and release nutrients.

Composting Chicken Manure

Before using chicken manure in your vegetable garden, it’s important to compost it first. Composting breaks down the manure and reduces the risk of pathogens.

Materials:

Chicken manure
Carbon-rich materials (e.g., straw, sawdust, wood chips)

Steps:

Mix chicken manure with carbon-rich materials in a 1:2 ratio.
Keep the compost pile moist and aerated.
Turn the compost regularly to maintain a temperature of 130-150°F (54-66°C).
Compost for at least 3-4 months, or up to 12 months for optimal results.

Using Chicken Manure Fertilizer

Once your chicken manure is composted, it’s ready to use in your vegetable garden.

Direct application: You can apply composted chicken manure directly around plants or mix it into the soil.
Tea: You can also make a chicken manure tea by steeping composted manure in water and applying it to plants as a foliar spray or root drench.

Safety Precautions

Even after composting, chicken manure may still contain pathogens. To minimize the risk of food-borne illnesses:

Wear gloves when handling chicken manure.
Keep children and pets away from areas where chicken manure is applied.
Wait at least 90 days between applying chicken manure and harvesting vegetables that grow above the soil (e.g., peppers, tomatoes).
Wait at least 120 days between applying chicken manure and harvesting vegetables that grow in the soil (e.g., carrots, lettuce).
Wash all vegetables thoroughly before eating them, especially if they were grown in soil treated with chicken manure.

Conclusion

Chicken manure is a valuable natural fertilizer for vegetable gardens. By composting chicken manure and using it correctly, you can provide your plants with the nutrients they need to thrive while improving soil health and reducing the risk of problems.

Composting

Winter Composting: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

by Donna January 28, 2020

written by Donna 4 minutes read

Composting in the Winter: A Guide for Beginners

Composting is a great way to turn your kitchen scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich soil for your plants. But what happens when the cold, dark days of winter arrive? Can you still compost?

The answer is yes! With a little preparation, you can keep your compost pile going all year round, even in the winter.

Preparing Your Compost Bin for Winter

Before winter arrives, it’s a good idea to empty your compost bin of all usable compost. This will free up space for the new compost you’ll be adding over the winter months.

If you live in an area with harsh winter temperatures and strong winds, you’ll need to keep your compost bin warm. You can do this by piling straw or hay bales around the bin, or by packing leaf bags around it. This will help to insulate the bin and keep the beneficial critters inside toasty all winter long.

Managing Your Compost Pile Over Winter

The same principles for managing your compost pile in the summer apply in the winter, with a few key differences.

1. Layer your compost pile with browns and greens.

Just like in the summer, you’ll need to layer your compost pile with browns (such as straw, newspaper, and dead leaves) and greens (such as kitchen scraps and fresh garden waste). This will help to create a balanced compost pile that decomposes quickly and efficiently.

2. Don’t turn your compost pile as often.

Turning your compost pile helps to aerate it and speed up the decomposition process. However, in the winter, it’s best to keep turning to a minimum. This is because turning the pile can cause heat to escape, which can slow down the decomposition process.

3. Chop up your compost materials into smaller pieces.

Since the cold weather slows down decomposition, it’s helpful to chop up your compost materials into smaller pieces before adding them to the pile. This will help them to decompose more quickly.

4. Keep your compost pile moist but not soggy.

Your compost pile needs to be moist in order for the decomposition process to occur. However, it’s important to avoid overwatering your pile, as this can lead to sogginess and anaerobic conditions, which can slow down decomposition.

5. Use a compost bucket to make composting easier.

If you don’t want to make multiple trips to your compost pile in the cold weather, you can use a compost bucket with a tight-fitting lid to collect your kitchen scraps. When the bucket is full, simply empty it into your compost pile.

Troubleshooting Winter Composting Problems

Problem: My compost pile is frozen.

Solution: If your compost pile freezes, don’t worry! The decomposition process will resume once the weather warms up. In the meantime, you can cover the pile with a tarp or blanket to help insulate it.

Problem: My compost pile is too wet.

Solution: If your compost pile is too wet, add more browns to absorb the excess moisture. You can also turn the pile more frequently to help aerate it and dry it out.

Problem: My compost pile is not decomposing.

Solution: If your compost pile is not decomposing, it may be because it is too cold, too dry, or lacking in nutrients. Try adding more greens to the pile, turning it more frequently, or chopping up the materials into smaller pieces. You can also try adding a compost activator to the pile to help speed up the decomposition process.

With a little care and attention, you can keep your compost pile going all year round, even in the winter. This will help you to create nutrient-rich soil for your plants and reduce your environmental impact.

Gardening

Winter Vegetable Gardening: A Comprehensive Guide for All Climates

by Gregory January 13, 2020

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Winter Vegetable Gardening: A Guide for All Climates

Introduction

Whether you live in a warm or cold climate, there are ways to enjoy fresh vegetables all winter long. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about winter vegetable gardening, from choosing the right vegetables to planting and caring for them.

Growing Vegetables in Winter in Southern Climates

If you live in a southern climate, you may be able to grow a vegetable garden over winter. Some hardy vegetables that can be planted in fall for a winter or early spring harvest include:

Bok Choy
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Collards
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Mustard greens
Peas
Radish
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Turnip

To grow vegetables in winter in a southern climate, you will need to choose a sunny spot in your garden and prepare the soil by adding compost or manure. You will also need to water your plants regularly and protect them from frost.

Winter Maintenance for Vegetable Gardens in Northern Climates

If you live in a northern climate, you will not be able to grow a vegetable garden over winter. However, you can still prepare your garden for the spring planting season by providing winter maintenance. Some tips for winter maintenance include:

Limit tilling: Tilling the soil can damage the soil fungi that help to break down organic matter and bind soil particles together. To preserve this natural system, limit tilling to small areas where you wish to plant early spring crops.
Apply mulch: Mulch helps to keep winter vegetable garden weeds at bay and prevent erosion. Spread organic material such as shredded leaves, grass clippings, straw, or wood chips on the garden after clearing off plant residue in the fall.
Plant a cover crop: A cover crop is a plant that is grown over winter to protect the garden from erosion. In spring, the cover crop can be tilled into the soil to enrich it. Some good cover crops for vegetable gardens include winter rye, wheatgrass, alfalfa, and hairy vetch.
Empty the compost bin: Late fall is the perfect time to empty out the compost bin and spread the compost on the garden. Compost helps to prevent erosion and enrich the soil.

Benefits of Growing Vegetables in Winter

There are many benefits to growing vegetables in winter, including:

Fresh vegetables all winter long: Growing vegetables in winter allows you to enjoy fresh, homegrown vegetables all winter long.
Reduced grocery bills: Growing your own vegetables can save you money on your grocery bills.
Improved nutrition: Winter vegetables are a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Exercise: Gardening is a great way to get exercise.
Stress relief: Gardening can be a relaxing and enjoyable activity.

Conclusion

Winter vegetable gardening is a great way to enjoy fresh vegetables all winter long, save money on your grocery bills, and improve your nutrition. With a little planning and effort, you can grow a successful winter vegetable garden even in a northern climate.

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