Compost, also known as compost, is a type of soil made from organic waste to care for the environment through organic recycling. But beyond that, composting is a way to raise awareness and transmit values through ecological education. By doing it you become aware of responsible consumption and the waste that we are capable of generating. So for you to put into practice caring for the environment, we tell you how to make compost in an easy and simple way.
What is compost?
It is a mixture of organics that aims to start the natural decomposition process so that they can be reintegrated into the earth. All organic waste such as food, garden and packaging waste is conducive to generating high-quality compost. Its function is double, on the one hand it helps to remove this type of waste from the contamination of soils, waters and. But it also becomes fertilizer with great nutrients that enrich crops, so making compost not only helps take care of the environment, but enriches it.
How to make compost?
Making compost is not difficult at all, on the contrary, the process occurs naturally. You just have to add the appropriate elements so that the decomposition process is triggered and the waste becomes compost. According to the Ministry of the Environment, fertilizer is generated through controlled microbial degradation that is triggered by placing alternating layers of organic matter, aerating them and subjecting the mixture to a natural decomposition process that provides the earth with minerals.
What yes and what no
Before beginning to explain the procedure, you must learn to differentiate what can be added to the mixture to enrich it and what cannot, to avoid a mass of rotten and stinking matter. The ideal materials to add to compost are organic waste that does not contain preservatives or chemicals. We can use leftover fruits and vegetables, egg shells, leftover natural coffee; as well as plant remains such as fresh stems, foliage and dried leaves.
If you decide to add paper or wood, the pieces should measure approximately 1.5 to 5 centimeters. Since pieces that are too large prevent contact and fermentation, on the contrary, smaller particles prevent the entry of air and there is a risk of putrefaction.
What you should not add are glass, rubber, wire, metal, fresh ashes, synthetic fibers and fruits with thorns, since not all of them are biodegradable, in addition to being dangerous to handle the mixture.
Guide to making compost at home
Homemade compost is an easy, although slow and painstaking, process. The first thing to do is choose the compost bin, which is nothing more than the container where the procedure will be carried out. The size depends on the available space you have at home, but it must have slits for proper ventilation, as well as be easy to handle; during the process you will need to open it constantly. If you already have the compost bin ready then you are ready to start composting, follow these simple steps.
Place a 30 centimeter thick layer of straw as a base, cover it with garden waste and moisten it.
Add a layer of food scraps 15 centimeters thick. Remember permitted waste must not contain preservatives or chemicals. Moisten again.
Add a layer of approximately 5 to 10 centimeters thick manure, spread very well and moisten again.
Follow the pattern of layers of waste and alternate them until you reach the desired height, little by little the compost will grow as the waste is generated. You can also add a layer of soil to speed up the decomposition process.
Additional recommendations
As special recommendations, you must take into account that the balance between humidity and dryness must be optimal. If the mixture dries too much it will be invaded by mites, ants and other animals. But if it is moistened too much, the dough will end up rotting and giving off a foul odor. With these indicators you should realize if what is required is to moisten, or on the contrary, add dry material to restore balance.
Normally homemade it takes 3 to 5 months to be used as fertilizer, it will depend on the climate, the types of waste included, as well as the care of the mixture. The compost is ready when you are no longer able to distinguish the layers you alternated or the waste you added. Furthermore, it must smell like wet earth and nothing else, otherwise the process failed and the waste ended up rotting. For this reason, it is important to be aware of the texture, humidity and temperature of the mixture throughout the process, so you will know what you should add and what you should moderate.
Once it is ready, it can be used as fertilizer for your plants, in this way we will be returning to the earth a little of the much it gives us. We take care of the environment while raising awareness about the waste generated and the importance of not contaminating the earth.