The solution to the many issues we encounter in this world today might just be right under our noses, or should we rather say, feet. Yes, you read that right, we said your feet!
Are you wondering why?
Well, take a moment to think about what you had for breakfast this morning? From the delicious strawberries and leftover ripe banana pancakes, are sources from soil, which is where our food grows. As a matter of fact, you can say that the soil feeds us. According to the International Year of Soils 2015 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, it is estimated that 95 percent of our food comes directly or indirectly from soils.
Soil supplies all living organisms with the necessary essentials to stay alive such as water, oxygen and nutrients. If truth be told, healthy soil is the foundation to the food system and as a result it produces healthy crops that nourish all living creatures.
As much as the soil is a valuable resource to us, unfortunately, our soils are at risk for many reasons such as deforestation, architectural development in cities and rural areas, pollution and much more.
With that being said, we believe composting would be a great way of returning the favour. If you aren’t sure on what composting is, you’ve turned to the right page! All you need to know is the basic understanding on how composting works and you’re good to go.
WHAT IS COMPOST?
Compost is a soil-like mixture of decaying organic matter that is easily accessible to you. Plus, it requires only a few other materials apart from water and oxygen. There are two categories to its materials, which are:
Compost enthusiasts often use the term “brown materials” to refer to organic matters that are rich in carbon. Some of the ingredients you can begin with are:
- Dry Leaves
- Grasses
- Newspapers
- Twigs and branches
Another ingredient that is great to compost with is green materials or also known as nitrogen-rich materials. Some of the organic matters include:
- Coffee grounds and used filters
- Condiments and sauces
- Nut shells
- Flowers
- Eggshells
- Fruit pits and rinds
Last but not least, water, oxygen and microorganisms. Although microorganisms are available for purchase in most gardening shops, you probably won’t need them because they are almost always naturally present in carbon and nitrogen sources.
HOW TO COMPOST?
Composting is really just nature’s natural process of breaking down dead plant material and turning it back into soil. With the right amount of water and oxygen, microorganisms will break down the components from each and improve the soil structure. Composting simply acts as a natural fertiliser.
Despite the many ways you can make a compost pile, composting in general isn’t complicated. To help you begin, here are some useful tips that will get you started:
#1 CHOOSE A COMPOST BIN
If you don’t have much space at home or you’re living in an apartment, you can always start small. Consider making a compost bin using a plastic storage container. However, if you’re going to use a big compost bin, then try and aim for brown to green materials with a ratio of 25 to 30:01 (Carbon:Nitrogen).
#2 CHOOSE A LOCATION TO PUT YOUR COMPOST
You should choose a location that is sunny and with a nearby water source. Your compost bin should easily be accessible to you as well, but do not place it where occasional smell or leaching liquids will cause you trouble.
#3 ADD LAYERS
Start with a layer of materials like twigs to allow for drainage and aeration. Then, cover this layer with leaves. Then simply alternate between layers of greens materials (nitrogen-rich material) and browns (carbon-rich material).
#4 MAINTAIN YOUR COMPOST BIN
Check on your compost bin regularly and make sure the following conditions are met:
- When you add fresh material, make sure to mix it with all the lower layers.
- The materials you add in your compost bin should be as wet as a wrung-out sponge. So be sure to add water whenever it is necessary.
- Mix the compost every once a week to help the breakdown process and eliminate smell.
#5 HARVEST YOUR COMPOST
Generally, the compost will be ready for harvest when it has reached a nice rich dark brown color that smells like earth, and crumbles in your hand.
#6 USE YOUR COMPOST
Now that your compost is ready, you can use it as a fertiliser to dress your flower beds, at the base of shrubs or trees. Plus, you can even use it as a substitute for part of the soil when gardening or sprinkle some on your lawn a few times a year.
COMPOST TO SAVE THE PLANET
We’re simply asking you not to toss those food scraps, instead compost them to help make the world we live in a better place for us as well as the future generations.
Sources: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Planet Natural, Eatingwell.
