For those who are new to composting or just wish to improve their current compost heaps, we’ve compiled a list of top suggestions and useful information to help you get on top of your compost.
1. Invest in a good compost bin.
If you don’t want to create a compost heap like the ones we have in Los Angeles, a compost container will suffice. Because they’re tiny, they’re ideal for modest gardens and yards.
3. Locate the ideal location for your compost heap or container.
It’s ideal to place it on a flat, well-drained surface so that any extra water may quickly drain away. This also makes it easier for worms to get in and start breaking down the substance.
3. Handle the heavy lifting of the worms.
The humble worm has been given to us by nature as the ideal waste disposal device. They may live their whole lives in the dark and thrive in the wet environment of a wormery or compost heap, where they consume and transform the trash you put into liquid feed and compost. The bright tiger worm (Eisenia fetida) is the most efficient worm we’ve ever seen, and it thrives on consuming organic trash. We send them out in worm-friendly bags from our shop, so they arrive ready to use in your compost heap.
4. Make sure you’ve got the correct material in there.
Vegetable peelings, fruit trash, teabags, plant prunings, and grass clippings are all good composting materials. These decompose quickly and offer essential nitrogen as well as moisture. Items like cardboard egg cartons, wrinkled paper, and scattered leaves are also wonderful to include. These take longer to decay, but they contribute essential fiber and carbon, as well as allowing key air pockets to develop in the mix. Crushed eggshells can be used to boost mineral content.
5. Make sure you’re not putting the wrong things in there.
Certain items should never be thrown away. Unless you’ve chosen to use a digester, no meat or dairy products. There are no unhealthy plants, and there are no dog feces, cat litter, or baby diapers. Using any of these in your compost may attract bugs and produce unpleasant odors. Composting perennial weeds (such as dandelions and thistle) and weeds with seed heads is also a no-no. Plastics, glass, and metals are not compostable and must be recycled separately.
6. Strike the proper balance
Getting the appropriate combination is the key to making compost los angeles. You must maintain a correct balance of ‘greens’ and ‘browns.’ Add extra ‘browns’ if your compost is too damp. Add some ‘greens’ if it’s too dry. It’s also crucial to make sure there’s adequate air in the mix. Adding scrunched-up bits of cardboard is a simple technique to generate air pockets in your compost, which will help it stay healthy. By mixing the materials, air may also be introduced.
7. Allow it to breathe for a while.
Regular turning is required for a well-maintained compost heap, which may be a difficult task without the proper equipment. Turning your compost allows the trash and cuttings to aerate and mix, resulting in quicker decomposition.
8. Provide a boost to the system
Using a compost activator will help your compost contain the right enzymes. It speeds up the process of turning grass, leaves, and garden debris into black, rich, crumbly compost. You dissolve a tiny bit in water and pour it upon your compost, which is ready to use after 10 weeks of decomposing. It can also be used to resurrect compost piles that have been partially decomposed or have died.
9. Add fallen leaves to the compost pile as well.
Fall leaves may be used as a valuable supply of compost, especially now that autumn has arrived early for many of us. These can go in your compost bin, but if you have a lot of leaves, you might want to put them in a big biodegradable leaf bag. Once you’ve gathered your fallen leaves, you may let them decompose into a fantastic source of moisture-rich soil improver that can be used in potting mixes instead of peat. The leaves will be maintained neatly in one location, and the bag will decompose, leaving you with a magnificent mound of compost.
10. Maximizing the value of your compost
When your compost is finished, the bottom of your bin will have a dark brown, nearly black soil-like layer. It should have a spongy feel and be nutritionally dense. By helping the soil retain moisture and controlling weeds, spreading the finished compost onto your flower beds substantially enhances soil quality. It also minimizes the demand for pesticides and artificial fertilizers.