What's the deal with... Compost! - Primex Garden Center
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What’s the deal with… Compost!

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What is compost?

  • The decomposition of plant remains and other once-living, raw materials that results in an earthy, dark, crumbly substance called humus
  • The material provides the proper environmental conditions for microbial life
  • Billions of microbes (fungi, bacteria, etc.) digest the yard debris and kitchen food wastes and recycle it all into organic fertilizer and soil conditioner

 

Why compost?

  • Improves soil structure and moisture retention
  • Protect plants from certain diseases and insect attack
  • Reduce household waste

 

What can be composted?

  • Shredded leaves, grass clippings,pine needles, and chopped hay and straw
  • manure
  • kitchen scraps, coffee grounds (not the filter!), peanut shells, and crushed egg shells
  • sawdust (untreated)
  • human hair
  • and more!

 

How can I compost?

  1. Create a location on your property for your compost
    • Not too close to your house
    • Sun or shade
  2. Purchase a compost bin for outside or build your own!
    Compost Tumbler
    Dual Tumbler
    Compost Bin
    Wood Composter
  3. Collect kitchen scraps inside
       
    Stainless Steel Caddy
    Mini Odour Free Caddy
    		    
  4. Fill outside bin using layers (3 parts brown to 1 part green)
  5. Brown material (yard debris/leaves)
    • Green material (kitchen scraps)
    • Other material (egg shells, hair, paper towels) – use in moderation
    • Espoma Compost Starter – All Natural Composting Aid
  6. Keep compost moist
  7. Mix and turn every week or two
  8. Ready to use when its a deep brown color (2 to 3 months)

 

Composting resources: 

  • Let it Rot!: The Gardener’s Guide to Composting by Stu Campbell
  • www.gardentimes.org – A monthly newsletter and blog for organic gardeners
  • Primex Compost Workshop – September 21, 2018 @ 10AM
  • All products listed above can be purchased from Primex Garden Center
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