How we make compost for FREE | Self-sustainable gardening

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This article is a summary of a YouTube video "How we make compost for FREE | Self-sustainable gardening" by Blossom Flower Delivery

Key insights about video How we make compost for FREE | Self-sustainable gardening

🌱 Composting at home is an effective way to reduce gardening expenses by producing your own soil amendments.

🔄 A multi-stage composting approach where the material is transferred from one pile to another as it decomposes can optimize the composting process.

📦 Using recycled materials such as wooden pallets for composting structures can make the setup cost-effective.

🍕 Including a variety of organic kitchen waste and plant residues in the compost ensures a balanced composition of nutrients.

⚠️ It's important to be cautious with what is added to the compost pile; for instance, certain types of packing peanuts may not be biodegradable.

💦 Proper moisture is crucial for compost development, as it can either activate or hinder the microbial activity necessary for decomposition.

🍂 A balance between "green" and "brown" waste helps maintain a healthy compost by providing both nitrogen and carbon.

🌡️ Monitoring the temperature of the compost pile can indicate the level of microbial activity, with a target range around 120 degrees Fahrenheit for hot composting.

👨‍🌾 Composting is not just for disposal; the nutrient-rich end product can be used directly in the garden to improve soil health and plant growth.

🌷 Encouraging home gardeners to start their own compost piles can lead to more sustainable gardening practices and a reduction in waste.

Timestamped Summary

00:00 Introduction to how the speaker keeps gardening costs down by producing their own compost, emphasizing it costs them nothing.

00:26 Mention of their very first compost pile, which was a circle of mesh where they just kept throwing things in.

00:48 Speaker shows the process of how they transfer compost material from one pile to another, describing how it progresses from raw material to nearly finished compost.

01:16 Explanation of using pallets to create compartments for compost and how the pallets eventually decompose as well.

02:08 The importance of using the right kind of packing peanuts for compost, advising against Styrofoam ones as they do not decompose.

02:42 Points out that you can add various nutrients like bone meal or blood meal to the compost to help it break down faster and that it's important to manage the moisture to maintain an active compost pile.

03:31 A visual update showing the compost pile after nine days since it was turned. The speaker tests the temperature with a kitchen thermometer to see if it has heated up and compares the different sections.

04:38 As compost has broken down, the speaker points out volunteer plants like tomatoes and squash that have sprouted in the piles.

05:22 Looking for the warmest section of the compost pile to indicate where the most activity is. The speaker demonstrates the compost's gardening value by showing how it can be used around plants.

06:59 After checking temperatures in different parts of the compost, the speaker concludes some areas are warmer and still active in decomposition.

08:45 Closing remarks encouraging viewers to try their own composting and to tune in for more gardening videos.

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Q&A

How can one reduce costs for gardening?

One can reduce costs for gardening by producing their own compost and dirt.

How did the person initially start composting?

They initially started with a simple compost pile made from a circle of mesh where they kept throwing organic material in.

Can disposable packing peanuts be added to compost?

Yes, but you have to be careful to use only the compostable kind, as Styrofoam packing peanuts will not compost.

Can cardboard boxes be added to a compost pile?

Yes, most ink on cardboard boxes is completely food safe, especially on pizza boxes, so they can be added to compost.

Should meat or dairy be included in compost piles?

No, adding meat or dairy will make the compost pile really stinky. It’s better to avoid these items.

How can compost piles be activated to decompose faster?

Compost piles can be activated by turning them, adding water to heat them up, and possibly using additives like bone meal or blood meal.

Is it necessary to screen compost before using it in the garden?

No, it's not necessary. While you can screen compost, it's also fine to put it directly in the garden and just pick out any sticks or non-compostable items.