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Compost Considerations
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This summer marks a full year of at home composting using a traditional three bin system. After a year of trial, error and observation, I am now a confident composter and have really turned a corner! We have struck black gold.
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Converting our kitchen scraps and yard waste into a usable product has been beyond satisfying. 🔄 This season, we have actually been able to add our homemade compost to our garden beds and use it in our regular actively aerated compost tea soil fertilizer! 🥳 While compost does "just happen" here are some tips to help bring you more compost success:
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📍 Location is so important. Not only do you want to keep your compost at a distance (mice and flies are known to enjoy a compost pile) you also want to make sure it's in a sunny location, year-round if possible. Composting in a shady location can make 365 production impossible (in our region) and can slow down the process.
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📊 Ratios. It is important to be mindful of what you're putting in that compost pile. Be sure to keep the green to brown ratio about even. While green materials are abundant this time of year, it can be helpful to have brown materials at hand. ➡️ We keep a bucket of chipped raspberry canes, shredded junk mail and dryer lint nearby for our brown materials. ⬅️
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🧖♀️ Moisturize & Oxygenate. Keeping your pile evenly moist and turned frequently with speed up the composting process. Like Goldilocks, you want the moisture levels to be just right - not sopping wet and not bone dry. In our climate, you'll need to water the pile more frequently. I like to turn the pile at least once a week to help aerate.
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When you have a home compost pile, it doesn't feel like scraps, spent plants or organic materials are going to waste. You feel like an alchemist, creating something valuable. 🧙♂️ Close the loop and feed your soil - start your composting adventure today! ❤️👩🌾
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#composting #feedyoursoil #closetheloop #organicgardening #coloradogarden #frontrangegardens