Today, I’m sharing garden tips on household items you can compost. If you’re a backyard gardener, you should be composting. What is compost you ask? Compost is organic material from kitchen scraps, yard clippings, and water that breaks down to fertilizer. It’s a great way to recycle your kitchen scraps, yard and garden waste, and weeds. Furthermore, it saves you money on buying garden center products and chemicals.
First, there are 3 methods of composting: hot, cold and trench methods. Today we’re going to discuss items that you can put into your hot compost bin. If you decide to start a hot compost bin, you must remember to turn it. Furthermore, a hot compost bin requires that you add items in layers. This will help heat the pile to approximately 160 – 180 degrees and start the decomposition process. Add a layer of green and than a layer of brown in your compost bin.
Next, be sure to place your compost bin on level ground and near your garden area. It will help when turning the pile and placing content back into the bin. Here is a list of items that you can and can’t use in your hot compost bins:
(Green) Items
- banana peels
- melon rinds
- carrot peelings
- pizza crust, taco shells etc.
- apple skins and cores
- coffee grounds
- tea grounds
- peanut and sunflower seed shells
- weeds
- fresh grass
- plant clippings
- cereal
- toast
- crushed egg shells
- tomato skins
- squash/zucchini peels
- stale bread and biscuits
- grapes
- blueberries
- strawberries
- waffles
- crackers
- dead house plants
- horse manure
- chicken manure
- pig manure
*no dog or cat feces
*no meats, fats or oils
(Brown) Items
- leaves
- shipping boxes
- cereal boxes
- egg cartons
- paper towel rolls
- toilet paper rolls
- shredded mail and paper
- coffee filters
- wood ash
- straw
- paper towels
- dried grass
- wood shavings
- newspaper
- sawdust
- corn stalks
- lint
- dryer sheets
- feather dusters
Researchers have suggested that home owners have an average of 200 pounds of kitchen scraps/waste per year. Add that to your yard waste and you can start creating your own organic black gold for your garden. Instead of sending your scraps to the landfill, recycle it. The landfills will be happy and so will your garden.
You will need a good compost bin and kitchen compost pail. Your compost bin can be handmade or you can purchase one. Be sure that is made of quality and you can turn your pile.
C0mposting requires patience, your pile won’t break down overnight. Unfortunately, it will take months to produce organic matter for your garden and flower beds. But, once it breaks down you will be thrilled. You may also like: How to Prepare Soil for Next Year’s Garden.
