Recycle Yard And Food Wastes

    Depending on the season and the part of the country where you live, anywhere from 15% to 35%
    of the garbage in your local landfill probably consists of food and yard wastes.  This includes
    things like banana peels and coffee grounds as well as dead leaves and grass clippings.  These
    wastes are all organic, which means they will decay naturally if exposed to air and water.  Burying
    them in landfills, however, slows down the rate of decomposition tremendously and also takes up
    valuable landfill space.  Fortunately, recycling this waste is both easy and inexpensive.  All you
    need do is pile it in a compost heap, where millions of organisms will turn it into humus.

    What can be composted?

    Grass clippings, dead leaves, twigs, and shredded branches are all compostable.  Don’t put
    weeds or diseased plants on the pile.

    To the yard waste, you can add all fruit and vegetable peelings, all grains, eggs, and even tea
    bags and coffee grounds.  Decomposition will be quicker if you break up any large pieces, such
    as watermelon rinds or grapefruit skins.  It’s best not to add meat and bones because they’ll
    attract dogs, cats, rats and other rodents.

    How to compost

    You can buy a compost bin at your garden store or build a simple one yourself in a corner of the
    yard.  It may be made of scrap lumber, concrete blocks, or even chicken wire.  It should be from 3
    to 5 feet (1 to 1.5m) high and have adequate ventilation.  Toss food and garden waste into the bin
    and occasionally add a layer of soil or bonemeal.  Keep the mixture moist and turn it periodically
    to allow the air to circulate.  In a month or two, the compost should be dark brown and crumbly,
    ready to be used in your garden.  Your local garden store will have advice and supplies.

    Benefits of compost

    Compost can be dug into the soil in your garden or used as a mulch around trees and shrubs.  
    Mixed with potting soil, it is excellent for houseplants or starting seedlings.  Following are some of
    the benefits of compost:

    The decomposed material is rich in nutrients.

    The humus improves soil structure and texture.  It helps hold sandy soil together and helps break
    up clay soils, making it easier for plant roots to penetrate the soil.

    It increases the soil’s ability to hold water, cutting down on water loss due to evaporation during
    hot summer months.
















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