Composting at Camp

Composting is a great way to reduce waste and reuse it in a way that will better the environment we live in. Compost contains major plant nutrients and will help any flowerbed or garden flourish like it never has before. Many people will buy fertilizers and this will help your garden to do well at first, but over time it will wear down and the plants will not have the overall health they will attain with compost. Composting will provide a long term steady feeding of nutrients that plants desperately need. Composting also makes the structure of the soil it is put back into better and improves moisture retention. Adding compost back into the soil around plants will create healthy, vivacious plants and will boost flowering and fruiting.

There is a specific process to follow when you are composting and the most important things to remember when composting are: green, brown, water and air. Green items include weeds, kitchen scraps and grass clippings. Brown items could be dead leaves, straw or woodchips. Make sure to add these things in layers; also add a layer of soil between the layers of green and brown to get the process started.

Once the mixture has been started, you need to make sure that the mixture remains damp. The compost should always be damp, but not too wet. Turn the pile every few days to aerate the compost and make sure that air is getting to the bacteria. The more this is done the quicker the bacteria will break down the mixture and you will have compost.

If you are using a square composting bin, it will be easier to aerate by having a second bin to just transfer the mixture back and forth. These bins can either be bought or made.

Above is a photo of a camp that practices composting and outlines the process it takes to ensure successful compost. Here is a link to a website that shows you just how to make composting bins at home. http://organicgardening.about.com/od/compost/ht/storagecompost.htm.

It is also very easy to ventilate your mixture if you use a tumbling composter. These can range in price from $70 to $350 depending on the size and stability of the bin.

[The compost pile should heat up to at least 150F within the first 24 hours, if it does not the mixture needs more green material to help it along.]

There are many uses for the compost once it is finished “cooking”, which usually takes 3-4 weeks. You can add it to mulch, soil and potted plants to guarantee that your plants receive all the nutrients they need to live long and healthy lives.

Make sure to follow these tips for the best outcome when composting. http://compostguide.com/composting-tips/.

Do you compost or know anyone who does? Do you have any helpful tips? Let us know!