If you're beginning a compost heap this spring, we applaud your effort. garden And the world in general also values recycling practices. While composting can have an unpleasant aroma, be ready for it and do not allow some strong smells to discourage you. To make this process somewhat more pleasant, I suggest using a countertop food waste composter like the Mill Bin or Lomi .
Top Kitchen Gadgets for Reducing Food Waste: See at MassimaYou should also memorize which items can and cannot be added to your compost pile. You may find some prohibited items surprising. While most fruit and vegetable waste can typically be included, avoid putting oily, sugary, or dairy products in the compost bin. Although meat and fish can theoretically be composted, they often present additional challenges and complications (we’ll discuss this further soon).
Here’s a brief guide to get started along with a list of food and household items that are suitable for and not suitable for your compost bin.
Read more: Is a Countertop Composter Worth It? I Assessed My Weekly Food Waste to Find Out
What is composting?
Composting is a way to help food trash and other organic items break down into a material that enhances soil nutrient content, benefiting plant growth. Initiate this composting process by incorporating specific elements. bacteria activators Substances are introduced to the organic matter to generate heat. This heat accelerates the decomposition of the organic materials faster compared to how it would break down naturally.
Materials that cannot be composted
- Cooking oils
- Items rich in supplementary fats and oils
- Cheese, milk, and other dairy products
- Sugar
- Sweets and other food items with high amounts of sugar
- Baked goods
- Heavily processed canned or prepackaged food items
- Cat litter
- Dog waste
- Certain houseplants
Compostable items include
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Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Cores, peels and rinds
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Coffee grounds
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Grass clippings
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Leaves
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Beans and legumes
- Seeds and nuts
- Herbs and greens
- Egg shells
Is it possible to compost meat and fish?
Certain gardeners incorporate items like fish, meat, bones, and dairy products into their compost piles. However, this practice is acceptable only if you aren’t dealing with issues involving rodents or raccoons. Such organic materials emit potent odors that tend to attract these foraging animals.
If your aim is to compost meat and seafood while avoiding the attraction of pests, consider this approach: countertop organic waste processor will crush and dehydrate your leftovers until they resemble dust rather than an enticing meal for wildlife.
Things you should absolutely avoid adding to your compost heap
Outside composting
There are primarily two methods for composting: outdoor and indoor. Let’s begin with outdoor composting.
Some gardeners prefer to have a compost pile in their yard. This is exactly what it sounds like. It is a pile layered with grass clippings, food bits, sticks and dead leaves.
The pile is started in a sunny area with a layer of twigs and sticks on the ground to help with airflow. Then, moist organic material (like food scraps or grass clippings) is layered with dry material, such as leaves, twigs and sawdust. That dry material is crucial because you don't want the compost to be too damp, which will cause foul odors and attract pests .
This form of composting requires effort since the heap needs to be turned—essentially stirred up—with a pitchfork or compost aerator approximately every one to two weeks. However, the advantage is that it costs next to nothing. All you really have to buy are a tool for turning and possibly some compost activator.
A simpler option for an outdoor setup is a compost tumbler, similar to the one mentioned. Yimby ($79) or this Miracle-Gro big two-section rotating composter (\$130) These both feature revolving drums that you add your garden and kitchen scraps to, then rotate about five to six times every two to three days. This rotation blends the compost materials to facilitate faster and more uniform breakdown.
The guidelines regarding moist and dry materials still hold true; maintaining a proper balance within your compost ensures effective decomposition. If you're opting for an outdoor setup, make certain to select one with numerous ventilation openings to allow gases produced during food breakdown to escape. Failure to do so could result in excessive gas buildup leading to potential explosions inside a sealed composter.
Indoor composting
Indoor composting becomes nearly fail-safe with advanced compost bins, such as the Zera or the Food Cycler Platinum With such a unit, you simply add your food scraps along with the compost activator. This device converts the scraps into fertilizer using heat and pressure, typically completing the process between three to 24 hours. Certain models can generate roughly two pounds of fertilizer from approximately eight pounds of food waste.
Okay, I've got some finished compost, so what should I do next?
After the food items break down, they'll resemble something akin to woody soil. You have the option of adding small quantities to your indoor plants or incorporating larger portions into a garden bed. Additionally, you might scatter some over your lawn or around trees to enhance their health.
Once your ready-to-use compost runs out, you can keep the cycle going by incorporating kitchen scraps and garden refuse into your compost heap or container. With proper maintenance, your compost pile will provide nourishment for many years ahead.