2. What is Composting?
Composting is nature's process of recycling decomposed organic
materials into a rich soil known as compost. Anything that was once
living will decompose.
3. Why should I compost??
Adding organic materials to the soil improves moisture retention.
Adding decomposed organic material to the soil feeds beneficial
organisms.
Compost provides a balanced, slow – release source of nutrients that
helps the soil hold nutrients long enough for plants to use them.
Composting saves money – you avoid the cost of buying soil
conditioners, bagged manure etc.
Improves water holding capacity resulting in reduced dependency on
watering.
4. STEP 1
In order to make compost you simple need a container ; it can be
anything from a bucket to a normal dustbin or a garden pot. Take a
note – you need to drill some holes in the container so as to let the air
pass through easily.
5. STEP 2
To make the compost, you require egg shells, neem leaves,
garden soil, banana peels and green kitchen waste.
6. STEP 3
In order to make composting process faster, shred the
kitchen waste as the larger pieces take more time to
compost.
7. STEP 4
1. Layer the bottom of the container with 1 inch of garden soil and above that 1 inch of
compost to start the pile, which will help to introduce the correct bacteria. (The best place to
start composting is outdoors but you can even do it indoors)
2. After that add a layer of green kitchen waste (best are the scraps of fruits and vegetables
because they break down quickly and do not attract rodents and insects)
3. after that add crashed egg shells as they contain calcium and minerals.
4. After that add neem leaves as they will add an anti-bacterial property to your compost.
5. Water well and keep the mixture in well sunlight to make the process faster and effecter but
that will require more amount of water.
9. AFTER 25
DAYS
Keep mixing the mixture on
a regular basis as it
encourages the right kind
of bacteria to compose.
Make sure to keep the
mixture moist but not too
wet.
10. AFTER 40
DAYS
At this stage, you will notice
some earthworms in the
compost which will make it
more porous and will turn
the waste into fertilizer.
11. Cover the compost with
anything you have – wood
chips, dry leaves, carpet
scraps etc. Covering will
help retain moisture and
heat, two most essentials for
the compost.
12. It takes about 2-3 months
for the compost to be made
depending upon the
weather conditions and the
components of your pile.
13. After 60-70 days your
compost will be ready to be
used in the garden.