Hello, and welcome back to the kitchen where we're turning food scraps into gardening gold! Ever feel guilty about tossing your veggie peels and coffee grounds? What if I told you there's a simple trick that transforms that "waste" into a secret weapon for your plants?
A couple of weeks ago I showed you my composting bin, and so many of you were curious! So, today, let's dive into the fun world of composting at home.
Why Should You Even Bother with Composting?
Think of it as a win-win-win! It’s a small effort with a big impact.
Win #1: It’s a win for the planet. Food scraps in landfills release methane, a super harmful greenhouse gas. By composting, you're not just reducing waste; you're actively fighting climate change.
Win #2: It’s a win for your wallet. Why buy expensive fertilizer or potting soil when you can make your own nutrient-rich compost for free?
Win #3: It’s a win for your garden. This stuff is literally "black gold" for your plants. It's packed with everything they need to grow big and strong, and it helps the soil hold moisture better.
Let's Make a Composting Bin!
This is a super simple DIY project. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 food-safe large buckets (mine were 18L)
- 1 faucet
- 1 drill
Here's how to build it:
- Grab your drill and make small holes in the bottom of one of the buckets. This lets the liquid fertilizer drain through.
- Now, on the second bucket, drill a hole and screw in the faucet, about 5-10cm from the bottom.
- Place the first bucket (the one with the holes) inside the second one. Ta-da! Your composting system is ready.
Start Composting!
Think of this as a layered lasagna for your garden. Fill your bin with garden trimmings and fruit and vegetable scraps from your kitchen. Then, add a layer of soil—this is the secret ingredient that speeds up the whole process!
After 7 days, give everything a good mix. I use some stainless-steel coal tongs, but whatever works for you is fine! Add more veggie scraps, another layer of soil, and cover it back up.
Repeat this process after 9 more days and then again after another 14 days.
The Grand Finale!
- After 30 days, open that little faucet and watch the liquid fertilizer flow! I ended up with almost 2.5L that I can use when watering my plants. Just mix 1 part liquid fertilizer with 500 parts of water.
- After 60 days, you'll have some beautiful solid compost! I'll update you with a post when I get my first batch.
I hope you found this post helpful and that you're inspired to start composting!
P.S. Oh, and I have to mention: my composting bin doesn't smell at all, which was something I was really worried about before getting one!
Recourses: How to Make Compost at Home | Kitchen Waste Compost Update by V87 Garden