Do you have a garden and want to fertilize it naturally? If so, you may be interested in creating or buying compost. Compost consists of organic materials such as food scrapings, egg shells, and coffee grounds that break down over time. Once they disintegrate, they become great fertilizer for your soil. According to Grand View Research, gardeners are becoming more aware of the benefits of organic fertilizer. In 2021, the U.S. residential organic compost market had a valuation of $363.2 million. If you are ready to get started on your composting journey, here are some basic tips to follow.

1. Use the Right Materials

One of the great things about compost is it supplies a way to get rid of organic materials without having them smell or fill up your garbage. The main elements in your bin should be greens, brown debris, and water. The brown elements include tree branches, dead leaves, and even paper. Greens refer to your vegetable and fruit scraps, clipped grass, tea leaves, pruned plants, and even coffee grounds. After all, coffee grounds have a huge supply of nitrogen, which is vital to any plant growth.

2. Hydrate as Needed

You also must water your compost. You need to keep it moist so the materials can disintegrate properly. There is no one set number for how much water you should use. Just make sure you don't over-hydrate it and end up soaking it.

3. Turn the Compost

Just because you have a bin filled with all the perfect organic materials, doesn't mean you should wait for it to break down. There's still a little more work involved in the composting process. It's important to turn the compost. Aeration matters in the compost breakdown process. The best way to ensure the microbes get the air they need is to properly turn it.

4. Pick a Good Location

Location matters when creating this organic fertilizer. That's why you need a location that's cool and dry. Don't put the bin in an area that's too hot unless you want the matter to dry out quickly. Avoid spots that are too wet, as it will cause the disintegrating fertilizer to become waterlogged.

If you’re interested in trying your green thumb, contact us at Johnson Farms FL Inc with questions. Our team is here to help you on your composting journey. Give us a call today!