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.
Tree diseases common to the West Michigan area include Oak Wilt Disease, a fungus, and Beech Bark Disease which is caused by insects..
Windows offer beautiful views of the outdoors, and the option of privacy indoors, and that begins with window treatments.
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!
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.
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.
If your family produces a large amount of kitchen scraps, why not compost and use them as a natural fertilizer for your garden?
Here are a few maintenance tips to keep your furnace running in top condition and save you extra cost from your pocketbook.
When it comes to your home, and everything inside that has value, it’s important to keep those it insured with homeowners insurance.
If you want to increase security and extend the hours of outdoor enjoyment on your property, consider landscape lights outside your home.
Is your business located in West Michigan? If so, let us help you spread the word. Contact us today to learn more about advertising opportunities with WestMichiganGuides.com…and thank you!
Visit our other travel sites:
