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Soil is a big deal. The food we eat, the trees and plants that give us oxygen to breathe, the water that we drink, our weather and climate \u2013 they are all connected to healthy soil.
\nWhat we take out of the soil must be put back in and that\u2019s where composting comes in!<\/p>\n
When food scraps end up in a landfill, they break down without oxygen which produces methane, a major contributor to climate change. Composting<\/a> those same scraps, on the other hand, puts essential nutrients, structure and texture back into the soil, eliminating methane and allowing plants and trees to grow strong and healthy. Check out this handy beginner\u2019s guide to composting. It\u2019s a great way to make both your garden and our planet healthier.<\/p>\n Getting Started<\/strong><\/span> Outdoor bins should have a secure lid and full bottom to keep out rodents as well as keeping it manageable to shovel onto your garden. A wire lid prevents pests from entering, while still allowing rain to enter and moisten your compost pile.<\/p>\n You can make compost bins yourself to fit your garden, or purchase ready to use bins<\/p><\/div>\n Location, Location, Location<\/strong><\/span> Compost Dos and Don\u2019ts<\/strong><\/span> Know what organic material is safe for home composting<\/p><\/div>\n The Golden Ratio of Composting<\/strong><\/span> Layering is important for proper composting. Get step by step instructions at Perma.me<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n Are We There Yet?<\/strong><\/span> Depending on all of these factors, your compost could be ready to use in as little as a month or up to one year. You\u2019ll know you\u2019ve reached the finished product when the compost is dark brown, crumbly like coffee grounds and has an earthy, sweet smell. It is important to be patient, as using unfinished compost can actually be detrimental to plants. Once you have usable compost, sprinkle around 5-12 cm along the surface of your garden. You\u2019ll see the dividends quickly!<\/p>\n Your compost could be ready to use in as little as a month or up to one year<\/p><\/div>\n No Place to Compost?<\/strong><\/span> Whichever way you choose to go, composting is a win-win for everyone and with a little time and effort, you\u2019ll end up with a garden that is the envy of the neighbourhood. Happy composting!
\nThe first thing you\u2019ll need is a proper compost bin. If you\u2019re handy, you can build your own; here are some great DIY bins<\/a> you can use for inspiration. Ready to use bins<\/a> are available at hardware stores or from most municipalities and can range from a simple backyard plastic bin to high-tech electric models<\/a> that fit right into today\u2019s gourmet kitchens.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/diy-compost-bin-1024x683.jpg\")
\nThe next step to good composting is choosing the best location<\/a>. Find an easily-accessible spot with good drainage, and be sure to place it on bare ground. Choose a spot that\u2019s out of full sun, but not in full shade either. Too much sun results in excessive heat build-up while full shade will cool the bin too much. Both situations will result in compost that lacks sufficient nutrients for growth. If possible, position the bin right in your garden, as long as it\u2019s still accessible enough to easily add your food waste to regularly.<\/p>\n
\nAt its most basic level, compost can be any organic material, but not all organic material is safe for home composting.
\nWhat you should add:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Grass clippings
\n\u2022 Tree leaves
\n\u2022 Vegetable food scraps like coffee grounds, lettuce, potato peels, banana peels, avocado skins, egg shells, etc.
\n\u2022 Unwaxed newspaper or cardboard
\n\u2022 Wood shavings or sawdust from untreated wood
\nWhat you shouldn\u2019t add:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Meat, fish, fat, dairy
\n\u2022 Pet waste
\n\u2022 Noxious weeds like creeping Charlie or Canada thistle. Your compost pile will become warm as the materials start to break down, but it may not reach temperatures warm enough to kill the seeds of these plants, which could then be spread to your garden.
\nTo learn more, here is a list of 100 things<\/a> you can compost.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Picture-2-Composting-1024x726.jpg\")
\nTo help your compost break down properly and give the best mix of nutrients to your garden it\u2019s important to balance the ratio<\/a> of what you add. Try to keep to around 30 parts \u2018brown\u2019 materials (leaves, coffee grounds, fruit scraps, egg shells, dryer lint) for every 1 part of \u2018green\u2019 materials (food waste, grass clippings).
\nLayering<\/a> of brown and green materials is ideal for a nice, nutrient-rich compost. Once you have laid down a few layers, start mixing it regularly. Adding a thin layer of soil every now and then will quicken the process by adding more micro-organisms to your pile. Remember to lightly water your pile on an as-needed basis to ensure it remains damp.
\nTurning your compost regularly with a shovel or pitchfork is essential to add oxygen and break down properly.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Picture-3-Composting.jpg\")
\nThere are many factors that will affect how quickly your compost matures<\/a>, including size of materials added, moisture level, temperature, carbon to nitrogen level, and most importantly, how often the compost is turned for aeration.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Picture-4-composting-1024x768.jpg\")
\nEven if you are living in a condo or lack the time and space to compost in your yard, you can still do your part by putting your scraps to the curb for your community\u2019s Green Bin Program. Check your local municipal website to find out what can be added to your green bin. An example is this one from the Town of Aurora: link<\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/composting-at-home-1024x683.jpg\")
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