Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash.com
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.
Structured wiring provides flexibility, the ability to move phone, computer and TV locations throughout the building without costly hassles.
A rule that everyone should live by: for every tree that is cut down, two more should be planted. Planting trees can save the environment.
Removing ice and snow from your roof can prevent damage later. Here are tips on how to keep your roof clear.
Every year, the Mason-Lake Conservation District offers sales for tree seedlings and for native plants. Take advantage of this great service!
Estate sales and auctions make for a great weekend event to take your family hunting for treasures and deals you won’t find anywhere else.
A lush, green lawn and beautiful landscaping make your home’s outdoors an enjoyable place for summer fun with family and friends.
Pruning is a way to maintain proper health and growth, and to keep the size and shape of a tree or shrub in order and visually appealing.
Get the most out of your money by caring for your lawn mower and lawn and garden tools is the best way to keep them in tip top shape.
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.
Removing ice and snow from your roof can prevent damage later. Here are tips on how to keep your roof clear.
A lush, green lawn and beautiful landscaping make your home’s outdoors an enjoyable place for summer fun with family and friends.
Here are tricks and tips to keep the humidity at a comfortable setting so you can rest well at night, and breathe easy during the day.
With all the snow that winter brings, there is sure to be muddy lawns and driveways once the snow melts and the rain starts.
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.
There are many quality home builders in West Michigan who specialize in building energy efficient, attractive, and well-built homes.
Estate sales and auctions make for a great weekend event to take your family hunting for treasures and deals you won’t find anywhere else.
Here are a few maintenance tips to keep your furnace running in top condition and save you extra cost from your pocketbook.
If your family produces a large amount of kitchen scraps, why not compost and use them as a natural fertilizer for your garden?