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Top 5 Composting Mistakes To Avoid

By Amy C.

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 04May2011
Word count: 470
Viewed: 132 time(s)

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Composting not only makes sense it is also a very difficult thing to mess up. There are however certain areas that beginners seem to not grasp right away. To do it well you need to understand that good composting is just about having or building the perfect bin, although that is an important element. It is also about what you put into your compost. Compost is not only about creating good fertile ground for growing fruits, vegetables and flowers but also about doing something great for the environment. The amount of waste thrown into landfills each year is increasing at an alarming rate. By adopting the lifestyle that allows you to reduce, reuse and recycle items you help to lower this amount drastically.

Composting also save you money. Good compost reduces the need to purchase expensive fertilizers and plant foods. Rich compost increases the nutrient levels in the existing soil. That being said read on to see some of the common mistakes made when composting.

1.) When composting kitchen waste do not add bones, grease, meat or dairy to the compost. Sure these will break down over time but you do not want your home smelling like a garbage dump and the pest will come running when they get a whiff of it. Stick to fruits, coffee grounds, eggshells and vegetables for great compost.

2.) Not adding enough carbon-based materials is another big mistake made by the novice compost maker. Adding dried grass and leaves will help to soak up extra moisture and prevent the compost from being runny. Shredded newspapers and cardboard will help to make the compost firmer and add more carbon to the mixture. This will also alleviate that pungent ammonia aroma that comes from decomposing matter.

3.) Never let the compost get bone dry. The tiny microorganisms that turn the scraps into useful compost need moisture to do their jobs. Without moisture they die and you are left with a pile of dry garbage. Add more fruits and vegetables to the mixture and/or use the water hose to dampen it. a good compost will have the moisture level of a sponge that has the water squeezed out.

4.) The next biggest mistake that is made quite a bit is that people just let it sit there. They continue to pile on scraps but fail to mix the compost on a regular basis.

5.) Not having a proper mixture of the various ingredients. Leaves by themselves will breakdown eventually but they will not give you the nutrient rich compost that is essential for growing healthy and vibrant plants.

Composting is simple if you follow a few simple tips like the ones listed here. For more information on composting visit rain barrels blog.

Amy invites you to browse delightful Solar Fountain collection for your garden. In addition to ecological garden decor , Amy also offers guest blogging and small business consulting in her spare time.

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