You are probably interested in growing vegetables on your own. Good fertilizer or media is the next thing that comes to your mind. The making of compost in your garden is not as hard as you think. You just need to have kitchen waste crop debris or leaves fallen from the trees.
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| Image by Joke vander Leij from Pixabay (Free for commercial use) |
Compost can be considered as a mix of decayed materials by microorganisms in aerobic, warm, and moist conditions. Microorganisms decompose the organic matter and release the nutrients that can be absorbed by the plants. This a natural process and humans do this to get fertilizer for the crops.
Site Selection
It should be a shaded area with a water supply. You need to water the composting pit to speed up the process.
Raw material
Green leaves, crop debris, cow dung, poultry manure, Salvinia, Japan jabara, dolomite, eggshells, and kitchen waste can be used for composting. Also, old compost is needed to add the microorganisms to a new composting pit or place.
Methods of Composting
1. Heap method
This requires making a heap of wet organic matter for months. The raw materials that you can use are anything organic and degradable.
2. Cage method
The composting is done in a cage which can be made from mesh or gliricidia poles
3. Pit method
This also takes around 6 months to be composted. You can put all the waste into a dig or trench where you can make compost.
4. Barrel method
You can use a barrel for this. Crop debris and kitchen waste can be used in the barrel. The process of composting is contained within the barrel.
The easy way - Cage Method
Things you need
1. Mesh - 3metres
2. Binding wires
3. Cement
As there are different composting methods, I am going to introduce the best method that I used in my garden as well. What you need are mesh and binding wires. You can roll the mesh as seen in Figure 1 You can use all the Kitchen waste and crop debris. After 3 months, you can have good compost as it is made out of Kitchen waste and crop debris. It is ensured that there are no heavy metals and that hazardous chemicals compost that you have made. And make sure not to add plastic, polythene, and newspapers to your composting pit.
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| Figure 1: Composting Cage ( Image is copyrighted to DiAgri ) |
Advantages of making compost yourself
Cost Savings: Making compost at home eliminates the need to purchase compost from external sources, which can save you money in the long run. You can use kitchen scraps and yard waste that you would otherwise discard.
Improved Soil Quality: Compost is a valuable soil conditioner. It enhances soil structure, making it more friable and less prone to compaction. This improves water infiltration, aeration, and root penetration, ultimately leading to healthier plants.
Moisture Retention: Compost acts as a natural sponge, helping the soil retain moisture. It reduces water runoff, which is especially beneficial in dry or arid regions. This can lead to reduced irrigation needs and water savings.
Pest and Disease Suppression: Well-made compost can contain beneficial microorganisms and organic compounds that help suppress harmful pests and diseases. This natural pest control reduces the need for chemical interventions in your garden.
Microbial Diversity: Compost is teeming with beneficial microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and earthworms. These microbes play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter, making nutrients available to plants, and enhancing soil health.
Environmental Benefits: Home composting reduces the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to waste reduction efforts. It's an environmentally friendly way to manage organic waste.
Why not buy compost
Quality and Contaminants: Some commercially available compost is produced from municipal waste or other organic materials that may contain contaminants like heavy metals or even pathogens. This can be a concern for gardeners who want to ensure the safety and purity of the compost they use, especially for growing edible crops.
Cost: Buying compost can be an additional expense for gardeners, especially if they have access to free or low-cost alternatives for organic matter. Some gardeners prefer to create their own compost to save money in the long run.
Customization: Gardeners who make their own compost can tailor it to meet the specific needs of their plants and soil. They can adjust the composting process to create a compost mix that is ideal for their garden's requirements.
Availability: In some areas, high-quality compost may not be readily available or may be expensive due to transportation costs. In such cases, making your own compost can be a practical solution.
Reduced Packaging: Buying bagged compost often involves packaging materials that may contribute to waste. Making compost at home can reduce the need for such packaging.
Check the YouTube video below; there is how I make compost.
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