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.

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.

What are the Benefits of Making Compost Fertilizer?

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

• Efficiently utilizes and recycles waste.
• Reduces fertilizer costs for businesses.
• Allows the production of organic and healthy agricultural products.
• Makes agricultural production sustainable.
• Enriches the soil and increases its water retention capacity.
• Prevents pollution of groundwater.

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.

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