Easy Composting, Healthier Life

The Earth can take thousands of years to reproduce healthy soil. The quality of our soil directly effects our environment. It affects everything from how plant life grows to the quality of the foods we consume. There are may ways to help improve our environment and they are all linked together.

Healthier soil provides a more nutrient rich fertilizer for plants to grow in. These can range from natural wild life such as trees. We need trees to help purify the air and provide healthier oxygen for us to breathe. Healthier soil will also create an optimal environment to grow our vegetables, fruits, and herbs. As humans we consume all of these things. They are needed for a healthy diet and lifestyle. Animals also consume these things. Then as nature intends, we consume the animals. Nutrient rich soil is vital for our survival.

There are many ways to help our Earth. One of the easiest is composting. Composting is the process of intended decomposition of biodegradable material. This means taking our natural food and lawn waste and using them to give back to the Earth. It also reduces the amount of waste put into landfills. Landfills are filling up quickly and up to thirty percent of the materials in them could be composted.

Composting can include any number of materials. Avoid using any meats, as it will cause odors and attract unwanted bugs when composting indoors. Some materials that can be used for indoor compost are vegetable peels, fruit peels, seeds, coffee grounds, the shells of eggs and nuts. You may also use larger bits of any of these materials, but chop them up as small as possible. Paper products can be added as well. Some materials that can be used for outdoor compost are wood chips, mulch, cut grass, non toxic weeds, leaves, and broken tree branches. You can use both indoor and outdoor materials in the same compost bins if done outdoors.

Composting bins can range from many different materials. It can be done in a simple trash bag or a large structure. Indoor composting can be done in small bins. They can be easily made from a separate trash can and kept out of site. You can buy composting bins in some recycling facilities and stores.

Outdoor composting can be done in large trash cans. This is likely the easiest method. Make sure our trash can is strong enough not to crack when drilling in holes. For drainage you will want to drill several small holes in the bottom of the trash can. Also drill holes around the sides of the trash can. Try to place them evenly to ensure every area gets the same amount of exposure. If you are going to reuse your compost make sure all of the materials are non toxic. Moisture will help accelerate the decomposition. You can remove the lid when it is raining or add water yourself once a week.

There are guides for many more complex composting structures. Libraries will have them, but you can also find them on the Internet. One web site with useful information is http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/compost/chapter3.html. There are many composting structures to suit your individual needs. When deciding on a structure keep in mind the amount of space you need and the amount of green material you can recycle.

The best benefit of composting is free soil. It will save money in terms of providing additives to your plants. It is so full of nutrients that it will lesson the need for constant attention when gardening. This benefit can be useful for small homes and large farms alike. In conclusion, composting is an easy way to help our environment. It is valuable for the earth and our daily lives.

Source
aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu