Recycling organic matter into soil conditioning, fertilization and enrichment material requires a process that is known as composting. It’s a technique that uses living organisms to enrich the soil needed by plants in order to grow and stay healthy.
Composting is a healthy and inexpensive way to help the environment as well as cut down on the need for inorganic fertilizers and some types of pesticides. It’s also something that both adults and children can do. To get the best out of composting, it’s necessary to understand how it’s done and what is needed to make it happen.
How Composting Works
Composting is a process that can take weeks or months. It begins with the gathering of organic waste to form the start of a compost pile or compost heap. Fungi, bacteria, worms and other forms of life then consume and process the organic debris into a material called humus, which is rich in essential nutrients, such as carbon, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous. When the material is combined with a proper amount of water and access to oxygen, the temperature of the composting material will increase to a potential maximum of 150 degrees Fahrenheit or 66 degrees Celsius. At maximum potential temperature, the composting process will take as little as three weeks, but at lower temperatures, it can take several months.
Benefits Of Composting
Compost is an effective substitute for commercial fertilizers and in some cases, it can also serve as a natural pesticide and barrier for some plant-based diseases. It contributes to enhanced soil moisture retention as well as higher levels of essential nutrients, which result in higher crop yields. The process of composting can also clean up the ecosystem by removing toxins and even some types of heavy metals from the environment.
Conclusion
Composting is a great way to help the environment and your garden by supplying the nutrients your soil needs. However, to ensure you’re composting correctly, be sure utilize a few of these tips so you can make the most of this fertilizing technique.