Do not discard vegetal food waste! Use it to make compost for your house plants and vegetable garden.
Food waste in the compost bin.
Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled thanks to the activity of bacteria present in the environment, together with the action of earthworms and other organisms, into a natural fertilizer: the humus.
To start composting, you only need a composter, moist organic matter such as healthy leaves, organic waste from the kitchen, some paperboard and time.
What can I compost?
#1 Food waste
Fruit and vegetables. Peel of citrus fruit, being of slow degradation, must be added with moderation. In general, limit the citrus fruits, because, by the action of their essential oils, slow down fermentation
Plant beverages like coffee, tea, wine and beer
Egg shells
Pasta, cakes, meat, and fish with caution (may attract unwanted animals)
#2 Non-food household waste
Paperboard, cardboard or clean paper
Paper napkins
#3 Garden waste
Healthy leaves, small branches, grass cuts in small quantity
Leaves of plants resistant to maceration to be added with moderation and cut into small pieces
#4 Other
Natural latex products
Small amounts of natural fabrics and fibers
Pet hair, hair and nail clippings
How long does it take to produce humus?
Depending on the temperature and the degree of humidity, it will take from 4-6 weeks up to 6-12 months to produce ready-to-use humus. In general, the smaller the organic particles, the faster they decompose.
At the end of this period, the materials are generally completely broken down into humus.
The degree of maturity of a compost is defined by the stabilization of organic matter. If you see plenty of earthworms and other organisms like flies and woodlice, it means that the compost is not yet mature.
Otherwise, if the compost is dark, almost without flies and worms, the compost as reached the degree of maturity:
Color dark and smell of soil soft appearance
The starting materials are not recognizable except a few woody branches
There are almost no flies or worms
The temperature is decreased to normal temperature
How to use compost
Use compost to fertilize your indoor plants and the plants in your garden
Spread the compost before planting
During Spring, put the compost at the base of growing plants as a fertilizer
In Summer, add compost in the evening when it is cool and do not let it dry out
In Autumn add compost to improve the soil
What to do if …
The compost smells bad. It can be due to the lack of air or an excess of water. Try stirring up the matter and adding leaves and straw.
There are too many flies. Incorporate fresh waste into the compost.
Cut grass is difficult to decompose. Cut the lawn often, so that the grass cut will be cut into smaller pieces.
Hard pieces like ananas leaves do not decompose properly. Cut them into smaller pieces, they will decompose faster.
Remember to stir the material often from the top of the composter!
By composting, you contribute to reduce waste and in exchange you will have high quality humus.
Involve children in the preparation of compost and make them aware of the importance of this “brown gold”!
Feel free to download DBDP infographic on Composting here:
Do not discard vegetal food waste! Use it to make compost for your house plants and vegetable garden.
Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled thanks to the activity of bacteria present in the environment, together with the action of earthworms and other organisms, into a natural fertilizer: the humus.
To start composting, you only need a composter, moist organic matter such as healthy leaves, organic waste from the kitchen, some paperboard and time.
What can I compost?
#1 Food waste
#2 Non-food household waste
#3 Garden waste
#4 Other
How long does it take to produce humus?
Depending on the temperature and the degree of humidity, it will take from 4-6 weeks up to 6-12 months to produce ready-to-use humus. In general, the smaller the organic particles, the faster they decompose.
At the end of this period, the materials are generally completely broken down into humus.
The degree of maturity of a compost is defined by the stabilization of organic matter. If you see plenty of earthworms and other organisms like flies and woodlice, it means that the compost is not yet mature.
Otherwise, if the compost is dark, almost without flies and worms, the compost as reached the degree of maturity:
How to use compost
What to do if …
The compost smells bad. It can be due to the lack of air or an excess of water. Try stirring up the matter and adding leaves and straw.
There are too many flies. Incorporate fresh waste into the compost.
Cut grass is difficult to decompose. Cut the lawn often, so that the grass cut will be cut into smaller pieces.
Hard pieces like ananas leaves do not decompose properly. Cut them into smaller pieces, they will decompose faster.
Remember to stir the material often from the top of the composter!
By composting, you contribute to reduce waste and in exchange you will have high quality humus.
Involve children in the preparation of compost and make them aware of the importance of this “brown gold”!
Feel free to download DBDP infographic on Composting here:
Cover photo credits (c) istockphoto.com/sakdina