Composting is the way forward if you week after week have to put squeeze the trash in order to make room for an extra bag of organic waste, or if you want to save money for expensive fertilizer and humus for the garden.
But it matters which method you choose if you want to convert organic waste to nutrient-rich plant food.
Closed compost container can process boiled potatoes
- With a closed rat secure compost container you can compost a wide variety of organic household waste - from rabbit dumps to cooked carrots.
- That way you keep a large part of your household waste on your property, and after a year's time, you can use it as fertilizer for your plants in the garden. However, there are limits to what you can or should be composting.
Avoid meat and sprayed citrus in the compost
It is distinctly forbidden to compost meat. Partly due to the risk of disease spread, partly because the smell attracts rats from afar.
Also you do not want to get sprayed citrus in the compost container, because of the chemicals.
- They are typically sprayed with chemicals to prevent mold and mildew formation. The chemicals are dangerous stuff that may interfere with composting and delay the degeneration process significantly.
Instead, you can easily put organic lemons or oranges in both open and closed compost containers. Also you can - if it is not specifically prohibited in your community - compost egg shells and bread remains in a sealed, rat-resistant container.
- But it is a good idea to place the container far away from both your own and/or neighbor's patio. For composting is likely to smell a bit, and there's no reason to disturb the good neighborly relations.
A handful of compost worms are enough to get started.
To really get a closed compost container up and going, it is a good idea to grab a handful of red composting worms. Either go buy them or get them free from friends who already have a compost container.
- The worms will quickly multiply and you can enjoy them for many years.
Too much heat and cold can kill compost worms
To keep the worms alive, you should think about where you place the closed compost container. It should preferably not be too hot in summer, while the container should be protected from prolonged, severe frost, which in really bad winters can kill the worms.
- If you have the chance, you may want to put the container in the shade from a deciduous tree. It will protect the container against the summer sun, but will ensure that it gets some heat in the winter when the trees have dropped their leaves.
High moisture level gives rotten compost
An open compost container or compost pile seldom has problems of moisture accumulation. But in a closed compost container, it is extraordinarily important to make sure to vary the waste you put into the enclosed space.
Otherwise you risk that the content rots and ends up as a slimy, smelly mass.
- It is a good idea to put some dry wastes such as pulp, wood chips or bedding from animals in the tank. It will seek to absorb some of the humidity and creating small air pockets in the compost.
Too much compost can damage plants
When the content of your compost container is turned into compost soil, do not just spread it out over the garden.
- Compost from worms is extremely nutrient-rich and in high concentrations can kill the plants. Also, it can prevent seeds or baby plants from growing.
Simply just spread the finished worm compost in a thin layer around your plants. Or mix it with the soil in the ratio one to ten.
- That way you can lower the amount of fertilizer you would normally use in, for example the kitchen garden or around trees and flowers.
But it matters which method you choose if you want to convert organic waste to nutrient-rich plant food.
Closed compost container can process boiled potatoes
- With a closed rat secure compost container you can compost a wide variety of organic household waste - from rabbit dumps to cooked carrots.
- That way you keep a large part of your household waste on your property, and after a year's time, you can use it as fertilizer for your plants in the garden. However, there are limits to what you can or should be composting.
Avoid meat and sprayed citrus in the compost
It is distinctly forbidden to compost meat. Partly due to the risk of disease spread, partly because the smell attracts rats from afar.
Also you do not want to get sprayed citrus in the compost container, because of the chemicals.
- They are typically sprayed with chemicals to prevent mold and mildew formation. The chemicals are dangerous stuff that may interfere with composting and delay the degeneration process significantly.
Instead, you can easily put organic lemons or oranges in both open and closed compost containers. Also you can - if it is not specifically prohibited in your community - compost egg shells and bread remains in a sealed, rat-resistant container.
- But it is a good idea to place the container far away from both your own and/or neighbor's patio. For composting is likely to smell a bit, and there's no reason to disturb the good neighborly relations.
A handful of compost worms are enough to get started.
To really get a closed compost container up and going, it is a good idea to grab a handful of red composting worms. Either go buy them or get them free from friends who already have a compost container.
- The worms will quickly multiply and you can enjoy them for many years.
Too much heat and cold can kill compost worms
To keep the worms alive, you should think about where you place the closed compost container. It should preferably not be too hot in summer, while the container should be protected from prolonged, severe frost, which in really bad winters can kill the worms.
- If you have the chance, you may want to put the container in the shade from a deciduous tree. It will protect the container against the summer sun, but will ensure that it gets some heat in the winter when the trees have dropped their leaves.
High moisture level gives rotten compost
An open compost container or compost pile seldom has problems of moisture accumulation. But in a closed compost container, it is extraordinarily important to make sure to vary the waste you put into the enclosed space.
Otherwise you risk that the content rots and ends up as a slimy, smelly mass.
- It is a good idea to put some dry wastes such as pulp, wood chips or bedding from animals in the tank. It will seek to absorb some of the humidity and creating small air pockets in the compost.
Too much compost can damage plants
When the content of your compost container is turned into compost soil, do not just spread it out over the garden.
- Compost from worms is extremely nutrient-rich and in high concentrations can kill the plants. Also, it can prevent seeds or baby plants from growing.
Simply just spread the finished worm compost in a thin layer around your plants. Or mix it with the soil in the ratio one to ten.
- That way you can lower the amount of fertilizer you would normally use in, for example the kitchen garden or around trees and flowers.
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