Compost is essential when it comes to veggie gardening. Compost is decomposed organic material that adds essential nutrients to the soil. Additionally, it also improves its structure. As a result, adding compost as a fertilizer ensures your veggies will be vibrant and healthy. And that’s the goal of every veggie grower.
Let’s take a closer look now at the benefits of composting:
1. IT ADDS ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS TO THE SOIL
Compost is chock-full of nutrients. As a result, when added to the soil it deposits these nutrients into the soil. Nutrients like carbon and nitrogen are crucial for plants as they contribute to their growth and photosynthesis. These come from compost. Consequently, it’s important to add it to your soil on a regular basis.
2. HELPS RECYCLE KITCHEN SCRAPS
Tossing kitchen scraps into your compost heap is a great way to contribute to recycling. Every effort to take care of our planet is so worth it! As a result, keep recycling that kitchen waste and building your compost heap!
3. IT’S ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Homemade compost is free. Additionally, it’s also a better option than fertilizers that are full of harmful chemicals. These chemicals leach into the soil. As a result, they are absorbed into your veggies and body when they are eaten. Consequently, using homemade organic compost keeps your veggies and eating clean.
4. ADDS CRITICAL ORGANISMS TO THE SOIL
Important microorganisms like bacteria and fungi are found in compost. They are important because they help decompose organic matter. These microorganisms help aerate the soil and keep some plant diseases at bay. As a result, they are critical to the soil.
5. PREVENTS SOIL EROSION
It knits the soil together which helps prevent it from being washed away by water. As a result, this helps keep the plant stabilized and close to its much-needed source of nutrients.
6. HELPS RETAIN WATER IN THE SOIL
Compost is very good at retaining water. As a result, this helps keep the soil around your veggies moist. Veggies need plenty of water and compost can play a crucial role in assisting with this.
Now that we’ve looked at some of the benefits, let’s take a closer look at the process of getting a compost heap established.
COMPOST NEEDS 3 ESSENTIALS
- BROWNS – sticks, dead leaves (carbon-rich material)
- GREENS – veggie scraps, grass clippings (nitrogen-rich material)
- WATER – You need to keep it moist
ONLY CERTAIN ITEMS CAN BE ADDED
People mistakenly believe that anything can be added to compost heaps. However, this is not true. As a result, if you add the wrong things it will cause problems.
Below is a list of some of the items that can be added to your compost heap:
- Fruit and veggies
- Fireplace ash
- Tea bags
- Eggshells
- Coffee grounds
- Grass clippings
- House plants
- Sawdust
- Manure
Below is a list of items that should NOT be added to your compost heap:
- Coal or charcoal ash – may have harmful substances to plants
- Fats and oils – attract pests
- Meat and cooked scraps – attract pests and causes odours
- Pet feces – may have harmful parasites and bacteria
- Dairy products
- Citrus
- Plants sprayed with chemicals
Composting can be done in one of 2 ways:
- Utilising a bin
- Building a compost heap in your garden
COMPOST BIN
If you choose to use a bin there are a couple of essentials you need to know.
- Your bin must be placed directly on top of the soil so that insects are able to reach it easily.
- It needs to be placed in a spot that is flat, well-drained, and has full sun.
- Your first layer should always be layered with twigs to provide ventilation
- Alternate between the layers of green and brown composting material.
- Water your compost regularly
- You need to turn the compost regularly so that the microbes can be spread out to break down the organic matter. Aim to turn it once or twice a week.
COMPOST HEAP
These are the steps you need to follow:
- Place small twigs and branches as the first layer. This will ensure there’s ventilation.
- Now add alternate layers of green (kitchen scraps) and brown matter (newspaper, leaves).
- Keep it moist by watering it regularly.
- You need to turn it with a fork once a month to aerate it.
IMPORTANT TIPS FOR COMPOST
- Whenever you add kitchen scraps to your compost ensure that you top it with a layer of browns. This prevents it from becoming too wet and smelly and breaking down too slowly.
- Always mix your compost when you add fresh material
After about 6 months your compost should be ready. Once it is a dark brown in colour, crumbly in texture and smells like earth you know that it is ready to use.
Growing your own vegetables is one of the most rewarding things you can do. A critical tool that enables you to do this is compost but another equally critical factor is having a reliable water source.
A RELIABLE WATER SOURCE IS KEY
If you are serious about growing veggies and providing your family with healthy, organic food then a key factor you need to consider is securing your own water source.
Between the ever-rising costs of municipal water and the all too frequent interruptions in water supply when water pipes burst, there’s never been a better time to consider drilling your own borehole.
It will not only give you peace of mind, knowing you have water security, but will also ensure that you can have a truly thriving veggie garden.
Establishing your own veggie garden is well within your reach. Setting up your own compost heap will only ensure that you succeed and having your own water source will keep you on the path to success!
Why not consider investing in your own borehole? It’s so worth it!
Contact us for your free borehole drilling quote, Cape Town!