Earthly Garden

FREDERICK, Md., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ — Yard trimmings and food residuals together amount to 23% of the U.S. waste stream, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Jack Olive, Master Gardener and president of online retailer Mastergardening.com, recommends composting to ease the burden of yard and food wastes, promote green living and create a useful growing medium for lawns and gardens.

Olive explains, “In yard waste composting, bulking agents like wood chips are added to organic wastes to accelerate the breakdown of material. Then, the finished material is stabilized and matured through a curing process.”

He adds, “The preferred method for composting kitchen waste is worm composting, which uses red worms to create nutrient-rich organic material.”

In addition to promoting a greener lifestyle, composting provides mulch for landscaping and gardens, replaces costly fertilizers, provides erosion control, alleviates soil compaction, suppresses plant diseases and promotes higher yields of crops and plants.

When choosing a composting bin, Olive recommends considering the type and amount of waste you will be composting. “For table scraps, a worm composting bin is most efficient. Typically, you will need two square feet of surface area per person or one square foot of surface area per pound of food waste per week.”

If your goal is to compost yard waste, there are several options. According to Olive, “Large, open-air bins work best for long-term holding of yard wastes. If you're looking to hold leaves for several seasons, open-air bins are most practical. For active, hot composting of yard waste, choose a smaller, enclosed plastic bin.”

Olive adds, “Although composting is not a time-consuming project, it does require some regular maintenance. Aerating, adding bulking agents and maintaining proper storage conditions are essential.”

Mastergardening.com offers a complete line of composting bins and accessories. Visit the online Resource Center at http://www.mastergardening.com for additional information on composting, including lists of acceptable and unacceptable materials to compost.

SOURCE Mastergardening.com

Gardening Pic of the Day:

gardening, fall composting, mulch, mastergardener.com, fall garden chores