
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?
- Create a location on your property for your compost
- Not too close to your house
- Sun or shade
- Purchase a compost bin for outside or build your own!
Compost Tumbler
Dual Tumbler
Compost Bin
Wood Composter
- Collect kitchen scraps inside
Stainless Steel Caddy
Mini Odour Free Caddy
- Fill outside bin using layers (3 parts brown to 1 part green)
- 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
- Keep compost moist
- Mix and turn every week or two
- 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