By Good Ideas Inc.
Photographs courtesy of Good Ideas Inc.
Autumn is upon us, and a lot of our favorite things come with it: Halloween, pumpkins, apple picking, leaves changing and falling. But that begs the question, “What do I do when I’m finished with these things?” Make compost! Composting allows us to take what is left of our seasonal bounty and produce more! Composters are the best way to reduce waste and keep our lawn and gardens looking beautiful through the creation of rich, healthy soil.
When you compost, you’re naturally recycling organic material such as food scraps and yard waste to produce compost, or “humus.” Humus is the richest and most important part of all soils. Plus, when we compost, we reduce our organic waste in landfills, which helps us reduce greenhouse gas emissions from “leachate,” which pollutes streams and produces methane gas.
The high level of microbial activity in compost boosts the beneficial microbes within your soil, which in turn helps a plant strengthen its immune system. When you begin applying compost to your garden it will allow the soil to breathe, which ensures the plants are healthy and vibrant. When your compost is growing and maturing it will allow your garden to increase the water holding capacity of your soil.
So how is composting done, you might be asking?
There are a few key things we need to understand and keep in the back of our minds when it comes to composting. One, composting is a “living” process. Two, use different ingredients for more beneficial soil production. Three, keep your compost bin always aerated so that it is not compacted and the contents can rotate freely around the barrel. Lastly, keep the heap moist! A compost pile requires moisture for it to continue to produce good compost. These four things will allow you to start or continue great composting for your lawn and garden.
There are many different compost bins to get you started. Now that you have a better understanding of the process of composting, you will be successful regardless of the bin type you choose. Here are links to some of the top composters from Good Ideas, a brand leader in composting equipment.
A must-have accessory for any composting enthusiast. This gorgeous 3-quart brushed stainless steel pail is a perfect fit in any kitchen. The lid contains a replaceable charcoal filter, so smells aren't a problem. The brushed steel finish has a classy look and resists fingerprints. A great little item for composting in the kitchen and even better as a caddy to carry composting materials to an outdoor composter.
The Compost Wizard Jr. is heralded as the number one composter in America. At 7 cubic feet it can sit discreetly out of the way, while it's big enough to handle your typical load of organic material. It comes in two pieces and is fully assembled! There's no waiting to compost. You can start the second the composter arrives.
The Compost Wizard Eco Tumbler is an affordable composter with some great features. Sized to accommodate the needs of a small to average-sized garden, the dual chambers can hold up to 5.7 cubic feet (42 gallons).
By Delilah Onofrey, Suntory Flowers
Photographs courtesy of Suntory Flowers
Planting annual beds of flowers, especially those that are bred to take the summer heat, thereby extending their glory into fall makes a lot of sense.
Click here for an informative article that discusses an economical strategy along with design ideas that can provide color like - a living highlighter. To learn more click here.
Click here to sign up for our monthly NEWSLETTER packed with great articles and helpful tips for your home, garden and pets!
