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Let nature recycle, turn leaves into loam
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Landfills in Georgia and Fulton County are filling up fast, and residents throughout the state are recycling items such as newspapers, aluminum cans, glass and plastics in an effort to prevent this problem.
Lawn and landscape recycling is just as important since leaves, lawn clippings, tree and shrub trimmings have accounted for as much as 30 percent or more of the total material being dumped into our landfills in recent years. But did you know these riches from Mother Nature can easily be recycled or composted to produce a wonderful source of organic matter?
And the best part is that it is free. Composting is a simple, practical and convenient way of recycling lawn and landscape debris.
As leaves are dropping and crops fading, local gardeners are frequently calling Fulton County Cooperative Extension for tips on composting.
Here are the answers to some of the more commonly-asked questions:
What is compost?
Compost is the rich, dark humus, or end product, that results from the natural decomposition of plants and/or plant products under controlled conditions.
Why compost?
Compost added to the soil before planting vegetables, shrubs, flowers, trees and even a lawn area will improve soil structure and drainage. It also helps hold nutrients and water for the plants to use.
Compost releases a small amount of plant nutrients, but it won't completely substitute for fertilizer. It should be utilized primarily as a soil-building material instead of a fertilizer. It can be used as a mulch on the soil surface or a potting soil for container plants.
What are the best materials for composting?
Almost any organic material can be used for composting, such as leaves, grass clippings, twigs, old annual or perennial flowers, spent vegetable plants, straw and sawdust.
Avoid composting invasive weeds like morning glory, honeysuckle or nutsedge. Avoid adding food scraps, dairy, meat or bones to the pile, as they will be a sure draw for unwanted yard guests.
Kitchen peelings and coffee grounds can be composted.
Where should I locate my compost pile?
Locate the compost pile in a convenient place in your yard, in full sun if possible and on a well-drained site.
How big can I make my compost pile?
A good size would be 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet. Large piles break down faster than smaller piles, but are more difficult to manage.
How do I contain the compost?
Decomposition works best if some type of structure is used to hold the compost materials. Welded wire, fencing, wood pallets or concrete blocks can be used. Leave open spaces in the sides to allow for good air circulation through the pile. Leave the bottom open to the ground for proper drainage.
How do I construct and care for the pile?
For best decomposition, it's best to mix a variety of materials in the pile. Most often piles are layered with whatever organic matter is available at a given time, such as grass clippings in the summer, leaves in the fall, and so on.
Keep in mind that the smaller the pieces of organic matter, the faster it
decomposes.
Once a layer of organic material is added, if possible, add a little garden soil or animal manure. This adds fungi, bacteria, insects and worms and helps speed
decomposition.
Keep the pile moist, but not soggy or too wet. To speed up and prevent odors, turn the pile at least once a month using a shovel or spading fork.
When is the compost ready to use?
Compost is ready to use when it looks like crumbly earth and you can no longer recognize the original plant materials. Each time you mix the pile, some compost should be available.
Tags: Roswell
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