Time to talk compost!

The biggest question that people have is how to start and what you need. We carry a starter bacteria that helps the compost pile get started and speed it along for people that are starting from scratch. People that have a compost pile already can take some of the old compost that’s already broken down that contains bacteria and add it to the new pile as they start to create new compost.

You really do need a balance of greens and browns, adding leaf clippings and such. As far as what to put in, you wouldn’t want to do anything inorganic. Meat and dairy can attract pests and create unwanted bacteria. You also really don’t want to put weeds that go to seed or anything like that. You can use a lot of your kitchen scraps like banana peels, eggshells, coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are excellent because they are super high in iron, and it’ll actually add quite a bit of nutrients to the compost pile. I even throw my vacuum dust in there. There can be a science to it, but all in all it’s about creating an environment for the bacteria to live and for these organisms to break this down.

For the space, usually a three-by-three area is sufficient, where it’s going to get some moisture and a good amount of sun. You do want a little bit of shade, but more sun throughout the day. Then once you have the compost, the uses are very beneficial. You can put it in your garden beds, and I’ve actually extended my garden beds with it. It is just going to be a usable dirt, and it’s going to be rich and dark. You can really use it almost anywhere, and it helps in the growth of your whatever you’re planting. It’s increasing more earthworms, microorganisms, and beneficial bacteria that that the dirt needs to break down and become really rich and nice and helps things grow. Most things do like that rich dark soil full of organic matter and nutrients.

And of course you’re helping the environment. There is so much food waste that goes into our landfills, grass clippings and things that could actually be repurposed and break down naturally and become soil like it’s supposed to. Keeping that out of the landfill really helps the methane gas release, and it’s environmentally friendly.

Questions? Email us at [email protected] or call one of our two locations: Portage (330-499-0101) or Everhard (330-492-1243).

Happy composting!