Compost Fertilizer

When gardening in gardens and balconies or planting on large agricultural lands, the use of fertilizer is crucial for increasing production efficiency and enriching the soil with minerals. Commonly used chemical fertilizers, while providing immediate yield, lead to significant long-term pollution of the soil and groundwater. Additionally, plants grown with chemical fertilizers are neither healthy nor organic. Using organic fertilizer can yield tastier and healthier products. Compost fertilizer is one of the types of fertilizer that can be used in this regard.

Mixtures obtained by decomposing edible food waste with tree leaves and various plants are called composts. Composts can be used with peace of mind as fertilizer in plants.

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How to Make Compost Fertilizer?

Making compost fertilizer is quite easy. However, obtaining compost requires some time, as the composting process can vary between 3 to 6 months. The materials used and environmental and climate conditions are the most influential factors in determining this process. The first step in making compost is to prepare the compost bins. Compost boxes should be prepared to the extent that they can meet the desired amount of compost. It is important to have mesh on these boxes to prevent flies from entering, which helps to avoid attracting flies while making compost.

Once the compost bins or containers are filled with the materials for composting, the production process begins. However, it is recommended to place some old compost at the bottom before filling with materials. This accelerates the production of compost. Moisture balance is the most important aspect in making compost. To ensure complete decomposition, the compost must be kept moist at all times. Additionally, the compost should be stirred every three days to ensure even air contact throughout, which is one of the secrets to good compost. Water can be added to composts that lose moisture in hot weather. Moisture can also be provided by adding water-rich foods like lettuce. The compost is stirred and kept moist until it reaches the consistency of a dark, wet dish sponge.

In addition to moisture, it’s crucial to maintain the right balance of carbon-rich “brown” materials (like dry leaves, straw, and cardboard) and nitrogen-rich “green” materials (like vegetable scraps, grass clippings, and coffee grounds). This balance helps to create the ideal environment for microorganisms and worms that break down the materials efficiently. If the compost becomes too wet, it can become smelly and slow to decompose, while too much dry material can prevent proper aeration.

The temperature of the compost also plays a significant role. Ideally, the compost pile should reach a temperature of around 130 to 160°F (54 to 71°C), which helps to kill harmful pathogens and speed up the breakdown of organic matter. You can monitor the temperature by using a compost thermometer. If the pile cools down, turning it and adding more green materials can help raise the temperature again.

Patience is key in the composting process. While it may seem like a slow process, the effort is worth it. The finished compost will be dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling, signaling that it’s ready to be used as a rich fertilizer for your garden.

What Waste Can Be Converted into Compost Fertilizer?

The materials that can be composted are quite varied. It is possible to make compost from any living thing. Fresh and moist wastes such as green leafy vegetables, fruits, tea leaves, herbs, eggshells, and coffee grounds, as well as dry wastes such as branches and tree parts, dried leaves and grasses, paper pieces, and nut shells, are among the most commonly used wastes in composting.

In addition to these, kitchen scraps like vegetable peels, citrus rinds, and even leftover rice or pasta can also be composted. While meat, dairy, and oily foods should generally be avoided in compost piles due to their tendency to attract pests, there are many organic waste materials that can be safely composted. Yard waste such as weeds, grass clippings, and small twigs is also excellent for composting. Furthermore, small amounts of cardboard, egg cartons, and even shredded newspaper can be added to the compost pile. The key is to balance green materials (rich in nitrogen) with brown materials (rich in carbon) to ensure the proper decomposition process.

What are the Benefits of Making Compost Fertilizer?

There are many benefits to making compost fertilizer. Generally, these benefits can be listed as follows:

1. Improves Soil Structure: Compost helps improve soil texture, making it more porous and easier to work with.
2. Increases Soil Fertility: It adds essential nutrients to the soil, enriching it with organic matter.
3. Enhances Moisture Retention: Compost helps soil retain moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.
4. Promotes Healthy Plant Growth: Plants grow stronger and healthier when nourished with compost, as it provides balanced nutrition.
5. Reduces Waste: Composting helps reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills.
6. Reduces the Need for Chemical Fertilizers: It offers an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers, reducing environmental harm.
7. Encourages Beneficial Microorganisms: Compost supports the growth of beneficial microbes that improve soil health.
8. Improves Drainage: In clay-heavy soils, compost can improve drainage and prevent waterlogging.
9. Reduces Erosion: Compost helps prevent soil erosion by improving soil structure and promoting plant root growth.
10. Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Composting organic waste prevents it from decomposing in landfills, which reduces the release of harmful gases like methane.

What Types of Compost Fertilizer Are There?

There are quite a few alternatives for those who want to use compost fertilizer. Compost fertilizers made from tree leaves are commonly available, especially as a large amount of material becomes available for composting when trees shed their leaves in the autumn. Greenery leftovers in homes can also be used for compost. A strong compost can be prepared from leafy vegetables and fruits that are about to spoil or have been forgotten in the fridge. Additionally, eggshells, tea residues, and coffee grounds can be mixed into these composts to utilize all kitchen waste.

Another popular type of compost is yard waste compost, made from grass clippings, weeds, and small branches. These materials are rich in nitrogen and carbon, which are necessary for effective composting. Worm composting, or vermiculture, is another method, where worms are used to break down organic matter into nutrient-rich compost. Manure-based compost is often used in gardens, made from animal manure like cow, chicken, or horse manure, which adds valuable nutrients to the soil. Finally, compost made from food scraps like vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and egg shells can be easily produced at home, ensuring you reduce waste and create a natural fertilizer for plants.

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