How Composting Helps Your Garden and the Environment

If you’re the type of person who is reading gardening articles on the internet, you’ve certainly heard of composting, even if you do not actively practice it. And it’s no surprise that you’re familiar with composting! 

It’s been around since humans began spreading manure on their cropland 5,000 years ago to boost plant growth. While composting still provides as many nutrients today as it did in early human civilizations; today, composting is more commonly associated with an environmentally conscious lifestyle.

As we all know, composting is a natural process that transforms organic waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. As you create this soil amendment, you’re also reducing waste and reducing your trash burden on your landfill. In 2019, a study completed by the EPA showed that only 5% of food waste was composted. Reverse, the numbers, and a staggering 95% of America’s compostable food waste is in our landfills.

Feeling guilty because you are part of the 95%? 

Don’t worry, 

Starting a compost pile is incredibly simple!

To create a compost pile, gather organic materials like:

KITCHEN SCRAPS

• produce cuttings
• coffee grounds
• eggshells

 

YARD WASTE 

• leaves
• grass clippings
• small branches
• newspaper
• cardboard. 

Layer these materials, alternating wet and dry components to maintain a balanced moisture content.

 
It’s important to note that traditional composting does require outdoor space, though your compost bin can be placed in either sun or shade. Turn the pile regularly to aerate the materials and speed up the decomposition process. A sunny spot will decompose faster than a shady spot. After several weeks or months, the compost will be dark, crumbly, and earthy smelling. Add this finished compost to your garden soil to improve its nutrient content and water-holding capacity.

While anyone can start composting at almost no cost, there are supplemental materials that can be purchased to improve your composting experience. We’ll highlight three of our favorites from ARBICO Organics below.


EM-1® Microbial Inoculant

Looking to speed up your composting? 

Adding additional microorganisms to your compost pile can help with this. 

EM-1 can be applied directly onto compost through a sprayer. Since your compost breaks down faster, this reduces breeding sites for insect pests attracted to decaying matter. 

SCD All Seasons Bokashi Indoor Composting
You’re familiar with composting at this point, but have you heard of bokashi? Like traditional composting, bokashi converts organic waste into a nutrition-rich soil amendment. However, there are drastic differences in how this soil amendment is created. Unlike composting, bokashi is an anaerobic process (it does not need oxygen). There is no decomposition in bokashi. Instead, bacteria ferment the waste. Finally, bokashi can be done indoors! Since there is no decomposition in bokashi, there are no strong smells. If your bokashi is smelling, that’s a sign that something has gone wrong, and you’ve reverted to traditional composting.

ARBICO’s EM•1 Bokashi is made with certified organic rice bran, Super C EM-X Ceramic powder, EM•1® Microbial Inoculant, and molasses. EM•1. The Microbial Inoculant helps balance the microbial ecology of the soil and supply nutrients to your garden. Using this product to recycle your kitchen waste helps your lawn and garden while reducing landfill inputs.

To learn more about the bokashi process read this article and check out the instructions tab on the product listing on ARBICO’s website.


ARBICO Organics® Red Composting Worm Mix

A lot of attention is given to microorganisms and imperceptible chemical reactions nowadays. However, sometimes the best thing for your soil and compost is something visible to the naked eye. This red composting worm mix contains three of nature’s most efficient soil aerators: Eisenia fetida, Eisenia hortensis, and Perionyx excavatus. Purchasing worms allows you to do double duty in your compost bin and your garden. Worms can speed up the decomposition of your compost and aerate your garden soil. If it is difficult for oxygen to penetrate your soil, the microorganisms in the soil will struggle to survive. This includes nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which play a critical role in delivering nitrogen to plant roots.

Whether you’re nervous about putting together your first compost bin or you’re a seasoned professional who has been composting for years, check out the composting and organic gardening supplies at our website - Robin @ ARBICO Organics