Across
the world, many countries have now restricted or banned grass clippings,
leaves and lawn waste from landfill dumping sites. The
homeowner is responsible for finding a way to properly dispose of
these materials. Composting is the natural choice for the environmentally
garden owner.
Soil
should be alive with million of microorganism which make complete
the nitrogen cycle and move air and water through the soil. All
of these activities are essential for healthy plant life. Microorganisms
are in abundance when the soil contains rich, high - grade humus.
This humus is compost made from the ordinary lawn, garden and kitchen
waste. The benefits from composting are that plants and vegetables
show greater stress resistance, the soil texture is improved, the
available nutrients are stabilized, the weed seed and pathogens
are destroyed through the heating cycle, and beneficial microorganisms
and soil fauna are supplied in abundance. The use of composted material
increases water retention, drainage, nutrients holding capacity
and accelerates nutrients release rates.
To be a successfully in composting, you have to understand
the following factors:
-
The basic process that organic materials go through to produce
compost.
-
Some effort is required.
- It
takes willingness to experiment.
- No
matter
what you do, or how many mistakes you make. You are probably going
to produce good, usable compost.
Unlike
natural humus, when synthetic fertilizing chemical are added to
the soil, there can be devastating consequences. The soil that was
once alive with activity is slowly killed by the harmful chemicals.
The environment suffers as well, creating a health threat to families
with toxic fertilizers are herbicides, and polluting our ground
water, river, lakes and streams.
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