Going Green? You Gotta Compost!
Composting is Nature's way of recycling and helps to
reduce the amount of waste we put out for trash. By composting
kitchen and garden waste you can easily improve the quality of
your soil for containers, vegetables, herbs and
flowers.
Where do we do it? Choose a location for your
compost bin on a level, well-drained spot in a partially sunny
location.
What goes in it? Good things you can
compost include vegetable peelings, fruit waste, teabags,
plant prunings and grass cuttings. These are considered
"Greens." Greens are quick to rot and they provide important
nitrogen and moisture. Other things you can compost include
cardboard egg boxes, scrunched up paper and fallen leaves.
These are considered "Browns" and are slower to rot. They
provide fiber and carbon and also allow important air pockets
to form in the mixture. Crushed eggshells can be included to
add useful minerals.
What doesn't go in it? No
cooked vegetables, meat, dairy products, diseased plants, dog
or cat litter, perennial weeds (such as dandelions and
thistle) or weeds with seed heads. Plastics, glass and metals
are not suitable for composting and should be recycled
separately.
How to use your compost: In about 6 months you
will be able to use your nutrient-rich compost.
Some ways
to put compost to use are:
- Use equal parts potting soil and compost for container
plants
- Incorporate compost into top 3 inches of flower and
vegetable beds
- Spread compost onto established and newly seeded lawns
- Add compost to your houseplants.
Coming This Month! The Happy Gardener's NEW line of
Outdoor and Indoor Composting Products- they're top quality
and made from 100% recycled plastic! Your family can be part
of doing the right thing with our Backyard Composter, Kitchen
Compost Caddy and Indoor Vermi-Composter. Ask your Garden
Consultant for more details.
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