Learning About The Basic Compost Gardening Tips
A good gardener has to be a good environmentalist. The entire idea behind gardening is to preserve and pamper nature so it has to be done in an eco friendly way. There are various kinds of artificial manures available in the market which might give rapid results. But at the same time they are never long lasting as compared to natural or organic fertilizers. Composting is a way to increase the fertility of the soil. This is the most common and easiest way that can be easily made at home and can be gathered by beginners as well.
Now what exactly is composting? In simple words it is collecting kitchen wastes like tea leaves, egg shells, saw dust, vegetable peelings and other biodegradable materials and allowing it to decay for a considerable period of time. All one has to do is take a big compost bin or dust bin and put it at the backyard of the house. There are different kinds of compost bins available in the market. Some are with lids while some have partial lids. Some are open. Keep it in mind to collect all the biodegradable wastes into it. It is advisable to use a covered bin because the compost gives out a rotten kind of smell which is unpleasant.
Composting can also be done using old newspapers or dead flowers and leaves. But any kind of animal flesh or bones must not be used for composting. The list does not include rotten breads, plastic bags or wood. Composting too needs to be watered regularly as moisture would make it rot faster.
Now the question is what help would the compost do to the soil, apart from making it fertile with its rich humus value? Well it acts as a soil conditioner. One can also use it for mulch as this helps to retain moisture. A 3 -4 month old compost is quite good for the soil. In most cases, compost is neglected during the winters because of the snow. But one must try to be regular in collecting compost. Placing the bin at an appropriate place needs care. One cannot place it where there is a pavement or cemented pathway. The bin has to be placed in a place where worms and insects can enter the bin for it to decay. The worms also help in mixing the compost. The bin needs to be well drained so that there is no accumulation of extra water.
Composting would give any gardener an easy and friendly mean of growing healthy fruits and vegetables. In this world pollution is increasing day by day. There is global warming and so many consequent health disorders. Composting is a small gesture by which one can say no to artificial fertilizers and chemicals. One would not only be proud of growing fresh fruits and vegetables, but it would also help spread awareness of eco friendly gardening. Various composting tips are available in books by experts. Many journals give articles on composting that can serve as good guidance, especially for beginners.