Making compost yourself

Compost do it yourself - one of the most popular organic fertilizers, harvested by summer residents in advance on their own garden plot. According to its properties and value, compost is practically irreplaceable, therefore, if the scale of cultivation is large, no one bypasses it. However, many people think about what exactly can and cannot be put into the compost heap for maturation. In fact, this is really important, because this fertilizer also has its own clear framework - adding everything in a row, you may not achieve the effect and quality you need. Let's take a look at this issue.

Speaking of compost, first of all, we can mean kitchen waste, which remains in sufficient quantities every week - these are the remnants of vegetables, and shells from eggs, peeling potatoes, cabbage stubs, used tea leaves, banana peels, and so on.

All this, of course, is allowed for use as materials for the compost heap - organic waste, all kinds of residues that do not contain foreign materials in their composition are excellent in order to facilitate the necessary maturation process.

Plant waste such as bark, foliage, straw, grass cuttings, green manure and even sawdust are especially suitable. Rest assured that it is possible and even necessary to add this to the compost.

But nevertheless, one should remember to observe the proportions - one component should not exceed the norm and prevail in quantity in relation to the rest, otherwise the compost heap may mature incorrectly, and the necessary processes will slow down or a side effect of ordinary rotting will start.

Now it should be said that not all vegetation is suitable for laying in a compost heap. It is very important for the summer resident to know that one should not use potato and tomato tops, lily of the valley, foxglove, as well as castor oil plant for the compost heap.

This is due to the fact that these plants contain substances that are characterized as poisonous, and it is they that will prevent the multiplication effect and the influence of microorganisms necessary for high-quality compost.

The most important process of decomposition will stop, and you can wait for ripening for a very long time until you realize that, unfortunately, it will not come - the plants themselves contribute to slowing it down.

As for the really useful plants that are ideal for the compost heap, one cannot but mention the siderates. The peculiarity of this green mass lies not only in the high protein content, which, of course, will only have a beneficial effect, but also in a fairly rapid and unhindered decomposition - green manure is extremely sensitive to the effects of those very microorganisms.

Remember that it is necessary to lay the plants in a dried form, forming uniform layers interspersed with coarser materials. Do not overdo it with siderates - there should be no more of them than all other components.

The second in terms of the content of necessary substances after green manure, just as suitable for a compost heap and does not cause problems even for a novice summer resident, is hay or straw - an excellent option, the main advantage of which is to bind moisture and retain it in the compost heap.

Moreover, due to their structure, both materials contribute to the creation of porosity, and therefore, improve oxygen access.Be sure to dry it before adding, then mix with green mass containing nitrogen, as well as kitchen waste. It is laid in even thin layers.

Foliage is less effective, but still taking place in the compost heap - unfortunately, it does not contain a large amount of nutrients, it is also not recommended to lay it in the form of too thin layers, since over time the leaves begin to thin out and lose their structure.

In order to avoid hassle, in the same way, the foliage should be dried and chopped before laying - this way, it will be easier for you to work with it in the future. Be careful, as the leaves of some trees may contain tannic acid, which can later have a negative effect on the compost heap. For prevention, such foliage should be applied together with lime in proportions of about 250 grams per 10 kilograms of leaves.

Wood sawdust as a component for the compost heap does not differ in any special features, except that it can absorb moisture well. Unfortunately, they have much more disadvantages - they are less susceptible to decomposition, and they also have a low nitrogen content.

In order for them not to only interfere in the composition of the heap, they must be thoroughly mixed with the green mass before laying them, add bone meal, and then add manure - this way, you will make up for the lack of nitrogen and can help accelerate the decomposition process ...

Do-it-yourself compost, it would seem, is the fertilizer where you can add absolutely everything and just wait, hoping for a quality product. However, this is not quite true. Each fertilizer has its own rules and principles of preparation, as well as materials allowed for use.

Never use seeded weeds for the compost heap without proper treatment by soaking them in barrels, otherwise you may subsequently infect all of your soil as well.

Be careful and good luck in preparing such a valuable organic fertilizer as DIY compost!