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October 1, 2024

This Week's Garden Gab:
​Composting

Hi Reader!

The four basic components needed to grow plants is the seed (or plant start), sun, water and some kind of growing medium, i.e. soil, clay, loam, etc.

In this edition:

• Dirt vs Soil : What's the difference?
• What Is Composting?
• My Simple Composting Setup
• Easy Leaf Composting

🍂Education:

Even though the terms are used interchangeable, there is a slight, but crucial difference between dirt and soil.

All this to say, the better the soil the better your plants will grow.

So, now that we know the difference between soil and dirt, what is compost? To put it simply:

That might not sound so simple, but it is. Here is a simple explanation of how you can start composting.

You will need only 4 ingredients for the composting process:

• Browns (carbon - 30%)
• Greens (nitrogen - 70%)
• Water (moisture)
• Air (oxygen)

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🍂Application:

What are the benefits of composting? Read Here

(From Medical News Today)

Another good article on the benefits of composting.

(From 'Everything Backyard')

Let's look at how I started a simple composting process.

I didn't start composting until a year or two into my gardening journey. I thought I would need a lot of land, and I was afraid that composting would attract wildlife and rodents.

I jumped into it after learning more about how I could incorporate composting into my small yard.

There are two ways I compost.

1. The first way is by saving scraps, cardboard, old soil. You can purchase an official compost bin, which I did initially. However, I found purchasing three black 18-gallon storage containers with good tight lids and drilling small holes all around them works great for me!

I lined the bins up in a sunny but inconspicuous section of my yard because the HOA is forever watching and I needed this compost area to look clean and neat while doing it's magic.

I had lots of cardboard, kitchen scraps and old soil from a previous season. I also found free sawdust from an online source. I NEVER ADD MEATS, OILS, OR COOKED FOOD.

I layered it, watered it and there it sat in the heat of the summer. I kept filling it with scraps, turning it, and watering it. Within a couple months I started to see the results.

I still use this method. It's so easy. I just make sure it has enough water, and I use a pitchfork to aerate and turn it occasionally.

More Information on How to Start Composting

How to start a small compost bin: Read here.

Check out this video too: Composting in Storage Totes​

I wouldn't suggest doing this in your garage because, although there are no concerns with critters, you WILL have all kinds of bugs doing their work in there. I'm sure you wouldn't want this near your home.

2. The second way I compost is by making Leaf Mold, which is basically leaf compost; not mold like black mold. I'm not sure why it's called leaf mold.

"In gardening terms, leaf compost is creating an environment where microorganisms can flourish to compost leaves into the soil, benefitting matter from yard waste."
https://simplifygardening.com/improve-garden-soil-by-composting-leaves/​

This process can be as simple or as difficult as you want it to be; I like simple.

I purchased a GeoBin. It is so perfect for turning regular leaves into a big pile of compost.

In the Fall, I mulch all my leaves from my huge Oak tree and a Japanese Maple tree. Then I drag a tarp to my neighbors' yards (the ones who have no pets; we don't want puppy poo in our compost), rake the leaves onto the tarp and drag them back to my yard.

After mulching piles and piles of fallen leaves I spread a very thick layer around the base of my trees, in my beds, and in my containers to help plants survive the cooler months.

It's best to use shredded leaves because un-shredded leaves will actually mat and prevent water from getting to the ground surface.

It's a ton of fun work and I love it! An invigorating way to spend a fall day! I do this a number of times during the Fall season.

Once my Geo Bin is filled with shredded leaves, I only need to occasionally turn them. It's an open unit so the rain will usually keep it watered enough over the winter months.

Over a couple of seasons the leaves break down into pile of rich, dark, useable compost.
​

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🍂Selection:

You can shred leaves using a lawn mower but since I don't have one I purchased a Toro Leaf Vacuum/Blower. This is the best garden gadget money I've spent!

I walk around my yard vacuuming up leaves; this machine sucks them up, shreds them and deposits them into a bag that I carry on my shoulder. I just empty the bag to the places I need the shredded leaves.

After all the beds are filled put the remaining leaves into my GeoBin for composting.

This is a great way to save money for the next gardening season. Plus, it's a great way to reduce yard refuse.

If outside composting does not appeal to you, then I recently learned of an inside composting system that looks very interesting. It's called Lomi. If you do a lot of cooking and have lots of scraps this could be a real game changer in reducing your garbage load.

I might have to look into this more.... one day.... some day.... when it's on sale. Ha! Ha!

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🍂Edification:

Compost bins teem with life; both visible and invisible to the naked eye. It is valuable because it's alive!

Genesis 2:7:

We were created from dust. The breath of God gives us life, and turns us into good, useful compost to grow and thrive in Him.
Hmmmm... ponder that. 🌱

That's all I have for this edition. Feel free to write me at jangardener@gardenease.org if you have any questions or comments.

Forward this newsletter to anyone you think would be interested in gardening information and to SUBSCRIBE HERE.

I'll see you in the next edition!

Jan🤗

If you have questions, comments, praises, complaints, or ideas about gardening or about the newsletter, you can reach me at: jan@gardenease.org