Learn About Composting Day

 

Today is “Learn about Composting Day.” To celebrate we are teaching you how to create the perfect compost.

  1. 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.
  2. compost-pile-100722-02Get 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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 filterscompost
  • 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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