Having an organic vegetable garden means freedom from the chemical laden produce that is usually found in supermarkets these days. If you are against the practice of big commercial food growers which is using chemically laden fertilizers and pesticides, organically growing your own is the best act of defiance you can take.
Composting is an integral part of organic gardening. Composting enriches or improves the soil by providing nutrients to it that plants need in order to thrive. When composting, it is essential to note that only the right natural materials should be used.
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The following are easy composting tips for organic gardens…
Make a compost pit. Choose a shady area in your backyard and dig a hole approximately 4 feet wide by 5 feet deep. Secure your compost pit with a fence, this will ensure no one will fall in it and also to keep scavenging pests away.
Collect your kitchen refuse. Biodegradable kitchen waste can be included in your compost. Collect kitchen refuse like vegetables, fruit peelings, spent coffee grounds, and spoiled food (no meat) into a garbage bag to throw later in your compost pit.
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Gather leaves when cleaning your yard and throw these as well in the pit.
When the pit is almost full, cover it with soil. Allow the compost to decompose for 2-3 months.
Turn your compost at least once a week. The frequency in which you turn your compost would depend on the method you choose to compost. If you compost by batches, turn every few days for the first 2 weeks then move to just once a week for the next 4-8 weeks. If you have an add-as-you-go pile, you should turn every few times scraps are added in order to get the undigested material into the inside of the pile. Air is necessary in the decomposition process and turning the compost pile helps aerate it and speed up the process.
There are things you can compost like algae, seaweed and lake moss, banana peels, cardboard, clover, cotton bur, cowpeas, egg shells. And there are also materials you should never add to your compost pile like cat droppings, lime, meat, oils and grease. [For the complete list of materials you can and cannot compost, click here.]
When the compost is ready, you can mix it to the soil as a natural fertilizer and start growing organic vegetables and fruits. The decayed materials in the compost will enrich the soil, ensuring lush plant growths.
So these are some easy composting tips to get you started with your organic garden.
