Jump to content
Main menu
Main menu
move to sidebar
hide
Navigation
Main page
Recent changes
Random page
Help about MediaWiki
Simplicity Wiki
Search
Search
Create account
Log in
Personal tools
Create account
Log in
Pages for logged out editors
learn more
Contributions
Talk
Editing
Composting
(section)
Page
Discussion
English
Read
Edit
View history
Tools
Tools
move to sidebar
hide
Actions
Read
Edit
View history
General
What links here
Related changes
Special pages
Page information
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
= Composting = Composting is the process of decomposing organic matter to create a nutrient-rich [[soil]] amendment that can be used to improve the health and fertility of your garden. Composting is an essential practice for [[Sustainability|sustainable]] and [[Resilience|resilient]] gardening, as it reduces waste, conserves resources, and enhances soil quality. == Benefits of Composting == Composting offers numerous benefits for your garden and the environment: *Reduces waste sent to landfills *Improves soil structure and fertility *Increases soil water retention and drainage *Suppresses plant diseases and pests *Provides a natural alternative to synthetic fertilizers == Composting Materials == A healthy compost pile requires a balanced mix of "green" and "brown" materials: === Green Materials (Nitrogen-Rich) === *Fruit and vegetable scraps *Coffee grounds and tea bags *Grass clippings *Fresh plant trimmings === Brown Materials (Carbon-Rich) === *Dry leaves and twigs *Straw or hay *Wood chips or sawdust *Shredded paper or cardboard == Composting Methods == There are several methods for composting in your garden: === Aerobic Composting === Aerobic composting is the most common method, which involves creating a pile or bin with alternating layers of green and brown materials. The pile should be kept moist and well-aerated, and turned regularly to promote decomposition. === Vermicomposting === Vermicomposting uses [[worms]] to break down organic matter into nutrient-rich castings. This method is ideal for small-scale composting and can be done indoors using a worm bin. === Anaerobic Composting === Anaerobic composting occurs in the absence of oxygen, typically in a sealed container. While this method requires less maintenance, it can be slower and may produce unpleasant odors. == Composting Tips == To create successful compost, follow these tips: *Maintain a balance of green and brown materials (roughly 1:2 ratio) *Keep the pile moist but not soggy *Aerate the pile regularly by turning it with a fork or compost turner *Monitor the temperature of the pile (ideally between 130-150Β°F or 54-66Β°C) to ensure active decomposition *Avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods, as they can attract pests and create odors == Using Compost == Once your compost is dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling, it is ready to use in your garden. Compost can be: *Mixed into garden beds before planting *Used as a top dressing for existing plants *Added to potting soil for container gardens *Brewed into compost tea for a liquid fertilizer By incorporating composting into your [[Food|food growing practices]], you can create a more [[Sustainability|sustainable]] and [[Resilience|resilient]] garden that nourishes both your plants and the environment.
Summary:
Please note that all contributions to Simplicity Wiki may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here.
You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see
My wiki:Copyrights
for details).
Do not submit copyrighted work without permission!
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)
Toggle limited content width