The Renter’s Guide to Composting: How and Why to Do It

Composting is one of the best approaches to reducing waste and making your own organic fertilizer. Besides, it’s manageable to do with only a few ordinary tools. You can still compost your food waste, even if you’re renting a Fruitland apartment or home. But at the same time, there are one or a few things you’ll entail to know to set things in motion. This simplified guide will grant an overview of the practice of composting and the steps you can take to hit the ground running about composting your food scraps.

What is composting?

Composting is the system of breaking down organic matter, such as food scraps and yard waste, into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. The final good, called compost, can be used to boost the quality of your garden soil. Composting is certainly a great way to reduce waste, save money on fertilizer, and help the environment.

What can be composted?

Practically any organic material can be composted, but remember, some items break down more easily than others. Food scraps such as fruits and vegetables, coffee grounds, and eggshells are all favorable candidates for composting. Yard waste, to cite instance, leaves, grass clippings, and twigs can supplementarily be composted.

How to start composting

If you’re inclined to begin composting, here are the steps you can take:

1. Find a location for your compost bin. This can be a great spot for your container if you have a small balcony or patio. Just see to it it’s in a sunny location so the ingredients will break down properly.
2. Consider the correct type of bin. There are very diverse compost bins available, so research to discover the one that best suits your needs. Quite a lot of containers are designed for indoor use, whereas others are best for outdoor spaces.
3. Gather your compostable materials. A whole lot of kitchen scraps can be composted, including fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells. You can likewise add yard waste, for instance, leaves and grass clippings to your bin.
4. Add water to the bin as may be required. The ingredients in your bin need to be moist to break down well, so see to it to add water if the bin starts to look dry.
5. Turn the contents of the bin as regularly as you can. This will help oxygenate the materials and boost the composting process.
6. Once the compost is ready, it should be dark and crumbly. It is then ready to be added to your garden or used as mulch around your plants.

How to use compost

Compost can be used in a variety of means. Here are some ideas:

• Freely use it as a soil amendment in a garden or planter. Compost can be mixed into the soil to boost drainage and aeration. It can supplementarily help retain moisture and add nutrients to the soil.
• Use it as mulch. Spread a layer of compost around your plants to help effectively control weeds and retain moisture.
• Use it as a fertilizer. Compost can be used to fertilize your plants. Easily mix it into the soil around the base of the plant.
• Use it to make a potting mix. Compost can be incorporated with other ingredients, for instance, perlite or vermiculite, to create a potting mix for your indoor plants.
• Use it to bring about compost tea. This liquid fertilizer can be made by steeping compost in water for several days. It can then be used to fertilize your plants or to water seedlings.

Composting is certainly a great way to trim down your environmental impact and help your garden or houseplants grow and flourish. By implementing these simple tips, you can certainly easily compost at home, even if you’re renting.

Are you in the market for a new rental home – presumably one with more outdoor space for composting and pursuing your green thumb? In this case, talk to one of our Fruitland property managers today or view our listings online.