My Dad always put our kitchen scraps directly in the vegetable bed. There was never an issue with critters getting into it, that I can remember.
Here at the shack we have a diverse wildlife presence around your semi-remote location; fox, crows, deer, mountain lions, quail, rats, squirrels, etc. My planter beds are protected by bird netting so I thought it would be safe, and it had been until yesterday. So, as you can guess, I’ve been adding our kitchen scraps directly into the planting beds. Something got in and made a big mess.
Composting is a great way to recycle kitchen and garden waste, turning it into nutrient-rich soil for your plants. Here are some general tips for successful composting:
- Green and Brown Materials:
- Green materials include kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and fresh garden waste.
- Brown materials include dry leaves, straw, shredded newspaper, and cardboard.
- Balancing Act: Achieve a good balance between green and brown materials. The mix helps create the right conditions for decomposition.
- Avoid Certain Items:
- Avoid adding meat, dairy, and oily foods, as they can attract pests and slow down the composting process.
- Pet waste, diseased plants, and weeds with mature seeds are also best avoided.
- Turning and Aerating: Turn the compost regularly to aerate it. This helps speed up the decomposition process by providing oxygen to the microorganisms breaking down the materials.
- Moisture Levels: Maintain the right moisture level. The compost pile should be damp, but not waterlogged. Add water if it’s too dry or more dry materials if it’s too wet.
- Compost Bin or Pile: You can use a compost bin or create a compost pile in your garden. Bins with lids help control moisture and keep pests out.
- Patience: Composting takes time. It can take several weeks to several months for compost to be ready, depending on factors like size, materials, and environmental conditions.
- Use Finished Compost: Once your compost is dark, crumbly, and has a earthy smell, it’s ready to use. Mix it into your garden soil or use it as mulch around plants.