How compost works, why it’s important and how to get started today!

Compost is any organic material broken down to the point where plants are able to absorb its’ nutrients. It’s plant food in other words. Compost is probably one of the single most important factors in having healthy, large plants so make sure youre composting whenever possible.

So what is compost?

Compost can be almost any food item that hasn’t been cooked in animal fat. Such items include vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices and even egg shells. Each different item contains it’s unique set of nutrients and minerals that help keep your plants healthy.  

How can I compost?

Composing is easier than you may think. If youre a beginner you may want to start off small. I would recommend taking a small plastic container with a lid and setting it on your counter top where most of your food preparation is done. So. Once you have your container, I use an empty Foldgers coffee container, you’ll want to throw any unused vegetables, egg shells and any other plant based materials. Youre basically hording vegetable trash at this point. You’ll want to do this until your container if full. Personally, I don’t let the container stay any longer than 4-5 days because after that long, vegetables begin to smell. And no one likes a smelly kitchen. So after you’ve horded your scraps, you’ll want to empty them out in a bin outside your home. Your bin should be large enough to contain about 2-3 cubic feet of material. Once you’ve set up your outside bin and once your bin is filled, don’t worry, this will take a while, 3-4 months, you’ll want to let your scraps marinate for about 3 months. Yes. Composting is time consuming. But! It is very rewarding because what you’re left with after those 3 months is called black gold by most gardeners. This black gold is incredibly rich plant food that your plants will enjoy.

Side note. If you really want your plants to thrive you’ll want to make sure that you have worms breaking down the materials in your compost bins.