Enlarge image | Making and Using Compost
ISBN: 9781905400577
Format: Hardback
Publisher: National Trust
Edition: illustrated edition
"Composting refers to recycling of waste, extracting valuable nutrients and restore them to your garden soil to the benefit of the plants you grow. This book provides a guide to the various aspects of making and using compost: selecting the correct container, deciding on the use of waste materials, and putting this material to work in the garden." More
My Abruzzo CompostHow can I connect Abruzzo to this subject? A piece of cake, actually! Waiting for me in Civitaquana are 2 huge open compost heaps and 3 other compost bins, ready for me to hopefully add the lovely friable, fresh compost to my future vegetable plot. I was intrigued to find out if I have been doing the right thing in creating my compost heaps and I feel reassured that yes, I have followed one of the many procedures to make successful compost.
A List of Janet's Ingredients to make Fabulous, Friable Compost
I have added the following ingredients to my compost bins from my garden and household waste since last summer:
- potato/carrot peelings
- egg shells
- scrunched up newspapers
- cardboard cut into small pieces
- lemon/orange rind
- lots of watermelon/melon peelings!
- grass cuttings
- leaf mould
- rose prunings
- mouldy apples
- teabags
- coffee grounds
- dead flowers
- small woody prunings
- soft hedge clippings
- spent potting compost
- toilet roll centres
- cereal cartons
- figs
The important thing is to ensure you have a good mixture of "greens" (grass mowings and other young sappy materials) and "browns" (drier, tougher materials). Also, I tend to "turn" my compost mixture every few weeks as this aids the "cooking" process. I really enjoy "turning" the compost and seeing the worms doing their job as that means the compost is on track to becoming usable and sweet-smelling.
Helping the Environment
In making my own compost, I am doing my very small "bit" to helping the environment. It is also "free" and it is most importantly, a very rewarding and relaxing activity.
Further Information
Have a look at the following websites regarding the gentle art of composting:
Videojug: How to Make Leaf Mould
Organic Waste Situation in Italy
I highly recommend making your own compost and "How to "Cook" Compost" is a very practical book to help you on your way to doing something which is very satisfying indeed.
Joey itching to get away from Janet's homemade haystack!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment