Turn Garden Waste to Compost
with
Amanda Switzer
Did you know that the debris from your garden can be turned into compost that will add an amazing array of nutrients back into your soil? Learn how to recycle garden waste into compost that can eventually be used as fertilizer.
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Transcript: Turn Garden Waste to Compost
Hi, I'm Amanda Switzer for About.com Home. What do you do with the debris that comes out of your property? I hope you don't throw it away – because composting is a free way to add nutrients back into your soil. And contrary to belief, compost bins don't have to be ugly! You can make them out of beautiful ornamental fences or you can hide them in your property so you don't see them.And if you have a small piece of property, you can use devices like garbage bins or pails or wooden boxes and you can move them around and just keep them out of view.
Anyway, if you have a gardener, you should really talk to them about putting a compost bin on your property. And if you do the gardening, think about it, because you'll be doing yourself and your garden a favor.
Make a Compost Bin
If you have a small piece of property and you want a compost pile, I'd suggest getting a plastic garbage can with a lid. Make sure you poke holes in the top so you let oxygen in. Once you have your garden debris and your lawn clippings in you want to add a layer of soil on top and then a little bit of water because you never want to let your compost bin dry out.Make a Compost Pile
If you have a piece of property that's large enough to have a big compost pile, then find an area that's behind trees or shrubs or that's hidden from view and add start adding clippings or leaves and garden debris, and then every two weeks start adding soil on top and then flipping it over. And what you'll find, is that after a few months, you'll have a nice rich, deep, humus that's developed from the decomposing leaves and debris. And this is great stuff to add back into your garden!You don't want to wait too long, you don't want your compost pile sitting for a year-or-so, because the nutrients will start leaching out of the soil.
Recycle Garden Waste Into Compost
So every few months start adding it to your garden. If you're planting more shrubs or trees, put the compost in the planting mixture and you'll have a really healthy shrub or tree develop.A compost bin or pile is a very easy thing to create and your garden will be extremely thankful. All you have to do is mix the ingredients together, sit back, and then by the end of the season you'll have a healthy humus that you can add back into your garden soil.
Thank you for watching. To learn more visit us on the Web at homegarden.about.com.