Using Composting Helps Recycle Waste
Composting turns yard wastes
into valuable fertilizer and soil organic matter. All
organic matter eventually decomposes. Composting speeds the process by
providing and ideal environment for bacteria and other decomposing
microorganisms. The final product, humus or compost, looks and feels like
fertile garden soil. This dark, crumbly, earthy smelling stuff works
wonders on all kinds of soil and provides vital nutrients to help plants
grow and look better. Decomposing
organisms consist of bacteria, fungi and larger organisms such as worms,
sow bugs, nematodes and numerous others. Decomposing organisms need four
key elements to thrive: Nitrogen, Carbon, Moisture(H2o) & Oxygen. To
enrich your compost or garden War-A-Lon, Inc offers these nutrients Click
here.. For best
results, mix materials high in nitrogen (such as clover, fresh grass
clippings and livestock manure) and those high in carbon (such as dried
leaves and twigs). If there is not a good supply of nitrogen-rich
material, a handful of general lawn fertilizer will help the
nitrogen-carbon ration. Moisture is provided by rain, but you may need to
water or cover the pile to keep it damp. Be careful not to saturate the
pile. Turning or mixing the pile provides oxygen. Frequent turning yields
faster decomposition. Composting
can be as simple or involved as you would like. It depends on how much
yard waste you have and how fast you want results (
"Backyard Conservation" - USDA/NRCS, Habitat Wildlife Council -
April 1998)
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