What are the benefits of composting?
Composting is not only good for preventing greenwaste and food scraps from ending up in the landfill, but recycles the nutrients back into your sustainable garden. It reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, enhances the water holding capacity of soil, and nurtures strong plants that naturally resist disease. Vermicompost (worm castings) are gardener’s gold and if used regularly, can build up plant resistance to whitefly and other pests. For a detailed explanation of benefits, see Composter Connection. If you have only one greenwaste recycling bin, it’s smart to compost the softer materials such as leaves and grass and leave your bin for the woody items that take a very long time to decay. By composting rather than using the greenwaste bin, you are also reducing the amount of fossils fuels used and CO2 produced by transporting your greenwaste around the county. What Type of Composting is Right for Me? Look at the catagories below to decide what type of composting suits your lifestyle
Compost is one of nature’s best soil amendments, so by making it in your backyard, you can reduce or eliminate the need to use commercial fertilizers in your garden. Composting also reclaims organic materials that would otherwise end up in the landfill. It’s the role of microorganisms (mostly bacteria but some actinomycetes, fungi, and others), to break down or decompose the organic material and produce the final compost. See my links for more information on the little critters.
Organic waste, such as vegetable and fruit peelings, that is sent to landfill is unable to decompose properly because, squashed under all the other waste, it doesn’t have any access to air. So instead methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, is produced which contributes to global warming. By composting organic waste at home you are not only providing your garden with a limitless soil improver for your plants and home grown vegetables – you are doing your bit to reduce global warming too!
