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If you’re someone who throws away a large amount of kitchen scraps–potato peelings, produce scraps, coffee grounds and filters, egg shells, etc., why not compost all of those nutrient-rich kitchen scraps and use them as a natural fertilizer for your garden? The benefits of composting are endless. First, it can save you money from garbage costs…by composting, you can reduce the amount of waste that goes in the garbage. Composting also turns all those kitchen and yard scraps into great soil for the garden!
While composting can be very easy, it’s important to stick to some basic guidelines of what to compost and what not to compost. A compost pile needs a mixture of “green” (nitrogen-rich) materials, as well as “brown” (carbon-rich) materials. Think of the green materials as all of your kitchen scraps, and brown materials as yard scraps.
Every compost pile is different, and depending on different circumstances, the pile could be ready to add to the garden in a matter of months, or it could be over a year before it is ready.
The process behind composting is basically breaking down larger green and brown matter (kitchen and/or yard scraps) into soil-like matter. To do this, a compost pile must be aerated by being turned, so that it doesn’t rot, and so each layer is exposed to the right amount of sun and air. A compost pile must also “cook” and get hot from the sun so it can break down. To reduce the amount of time it takes to break down, kitchen scraps can be chopped up before being added to the pile.
Compost is ready to add to the garden when it looks dark and crumbly, and none of the starting materials are visible such as egg shells, banana peels, etc. To be sure the compost is ready, an easy test can be done by putting a small amount of the compost in a sealed bag, leave it in there for 24 to 48 hours, and then open it and notice the smell. If there is little to no odor coming from the bag, then the compost is ready to disperse in the garden.
Home sales are on the rise, so if you’re thinking about putting your home on the market, now may be the time to make some changes.
Every year, the Mason-Lake Conservation District offers sales for tree seedlings and for native plants. Take advantage of this great service!
There are many quality home builders in West Michigan who specialize in building energy efficient, attractive, and well-built homes.
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When hiring someone to work on your home or to build a new one, you should be sure to find a licensed contractor to ensure quality work.
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map helps gardeners and growers to determine which plants are most likely to thrive in West Michigan.
The West Michigan Real Estate Directory is the place to search homes, acreage, businesses for sale, and lakefront property in the area.
A great way to beat the winter blues is to force bulbs or branches to bloom early. It’s a simple process, and will be sure to lift your mood!
When it comes to your home, and everything inside that has value, it’s important to keep those it insured with homeowners insurance.
When hiring someone to work on your home or to build a new one, you should be sure to find a licensed contractor to ensure quality work.
A lush, green lawn and beautiful landscaping make your home’s outdoors an enjoyable place for summer fun with family and friends.
Removing ice and snow from your roof can prevent damage later. Here are tips on how to keep your roof clear.
If your family produces a large amount of kitchen scraps, why not compost and use them as a natural fertilizer for your garden?
There are many quality home builders in West Michigan who specialize in building energy efficient, attractive, and well-built homes.
West Michigan businesses can help you find the perfect, fresh Christmas tree and recycle that tree after the holidays.
Tree diseases common to the West Michigan area include Oak Wilt Disease, a fungus, and Beech Bark Disease which is caused by insects..
Warm West Michigan months bring us outside to beautify our lawns, add a deck, and more. Get help from a home services business.