Today is “Learn about Composting Day.” To celebrate we are teaching you how to create the perfect compost.
- Start with a container. We have several for sale in our Ashland, VA store! We can fit you with the right bin for your composting needs.
- Get the ingredient mix right. A low-maintenance pile has a combination of brown and green plant matter, plus some moisture to keep the good bacteria humming. Shredded newspaper, wood chips and dry leaves are ideal for the brown elements; kitchen waste and grass clippings are perfect for the green add-ins.
- Remember a few simple chores. Taking care of a compost pile is extremely basic, but a wee bit of care makes a huge difference. Add material regularly to give the happy bacteria some fresh food to consume and enough insulation to keep the process warm.
- Turn the pile with a pitchfork or compost aerator every week or two to make sure that all of the materials are blended in and working together. After you’ve mixed things up, grab a handful to see if it’s slightly damp. Too little moisture will slow the decomposition process and too much will leave you with a slimy mess.
- In a few months, your finished product should be a dark, crumbly soil that smells like fresh earth.
Items you CAN compost:
- Leaves, brush, moss, hay, straw
- plant cuttings and grass clippings
- vegetable scraps and fruit scraps
- breads and grains
- coffee grounds and filters
- tea bags
- egg and nut shells
- wood chips
- sawdust
- wood ash
- old potting soil
- cut flowers
- dryer lint
- hair
- newspaper, food-soiled paper (napkins, paper towels)
Items you CANNOT compost:
- meat scraps
- fish scraps
- dairy products
- fats or oils
- grease
- pet feces
- kitty litter
- weed seeds
- charcoal ash
- colored paper
- lime
- non-organic materials
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