Composting In An Urban Setting – Here’s How to Get Started

 

If you are interested in moving to a more environmentally friendly way of making your garden grow and prosper, you have probably read about composting. At Greenwood Hardware, you can find everything you need to get started with urban composting.

What is Compost?

Compost is organic material that breaks down over time and becomes an excellent source of nourishment for plants and trees. Basically, trash is tossed into a compost heap and allowed to break down over a few months to create an effective food for the soil your plants grow in. The compost is filled with things like nitrogen that will help your plants establish healthy roots and flourish. One of the main reasons people choose to use compost is to avoid the need for chemical fertilizers. Compost is all natural and is considered much safer than man-made chemical fertilizers.

It all sounds great, but what if you live in Seattle or the suburbs with neighbors who would not appreciate a stinky compost heap marinating on the other side of the fence? There is an option for neighborhood dwellers who want to take advantage of composting—compost tumblers.

It takes several months for a compost heap to go through the process of breaking down. If you are just getting started in the world of composting, you will need to pick up some bags of compost to get your spring planting season off to a good start. In a few months, you will be able to use the compost you have produced. Even if you are not interested in the actual act of composting, but want to buy compost for your garden, you can find it at the hardware store.

Compost Tools

If you would like to give urban composting a try, you will need a tumbler. This is an enclosed ball that will hold your compost, while keeping the majority of the odor trapped inside the container. There are varying sizes of composter tumblers available. You will want to choose according to your demand for compost. These tumblers are easy to use and very effective. You simply toss in your scraps, shut the door and turn the tumbler now and again. Time and the sun will do the rest!

Along with your tumbler, you will need some basic gardening tools; rake, shovel, wheelbarrow and a pitchfork. There is really very little you need to make your compost in your own backyard. The tumblers are typically made of a heavy duty plastic and are aesthetically appealing. Many manufacturers make the tumblers portable so you can move the composter around the yard as needed.

What Can You Compost?

It is almost easier to explain what you can’t compost. Nearly everything can be put into your compost heap and transformed into a healthy additive for your soil. Your kitchen scraps, leaves, grass clippings (if there are no weeds), newspaper and so on are all excellent compost materials. It is a good idea to have nice mixture of items. If you are adding newspaper, it is best to shred it before hand to aid in the decomposition. Some items can take months, while others (like banana peels), break down much faster.

Things you DO NOT WANT to put into your composter:

• Meat of any kind
• Animal bones
• Weeds or diseased plants
• Dog or cat feces
• Magazines that contain glossy, colored paper
• Dairy products
• Wood shavings from chemically treated wood
• Vegetable oil or other greasy products

Why Compost?

Compost can be used to enrich the soil, which in turns feeds plants and trees.  If you are dealing with a clay-like soil, compost can help break it up and make it more root-friendly. Composting promotes healthy root growth. It also helps soil maintain moisture, which means less watering. This can save you money on your electric bill and saves on our natural resources!

Just think of all of the garbage you are keeping out of the landfills when you choose to compost. It is amazing how much stuff we throw away, when it can be used to make our flowers bloom beautifully, make our trees stand tall and green and of course, make our gardens produce plenty of delicious fruits and vegetables.

Making and using your own compost is very rewarding. Your friends will soon be asking what your secret is. If you are ready to start your own urban composting journey, head to Greenwood Hardware and pick up your first few bags of compost along with the supplies needed to make your own. And if you have any questions, we are here for you. Come on in, or contact us today!