This is how you succeed with composting | Plantagen

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This is how you succeed with composting

Fertilizer
It doesn't take much to succeed with compost. Withered plants from the garden and household waste create soil rich in nutrients and humus.
Soil and fertilizer when you are going to sow and cultivate

Soil and fertilizer when you are going to sow and cultivate

When sowing seeds and growing plants, there are a few things you should consider to get healthy, strong, and vibrant plants. The right soil at the right time is one of the most important.

Soil and fertilizer
Soil and fertilizer for outdoor plants

Soil and fertilizer for outdoor plants

Good soil and fertilizer are important for healthy, fresh and beautiful plants throughout the season – regardless of whether you plant directly in the garden or in outdoor pots, planters, and boxes.

Soil and fertilizer
Bokashi – create natural fertilizer from food scraps

Bokashi – create natural fertilizer from food scraps

Bokashi is a Japanese method that turns food waste into nutrient-rich soil. Make your own bokashi compost with a bucket, food scraps, and compost bran. After a few weeks, you'll have nutrient-rich soil for your plants.

Soil and fertilizer
Earthworms - the helpful gardeners

Earthworms - the helpful gardeners

That earthworms are important for the soil is well known to everyone, but exactly what they do may be a little more unknown. Here we delve deep into the world of the winding fields.

Fertilizer
Get a head start in the garden for spring - prepare the soil already in the fall

Get a head start in the garden for spring - prepare the soil already in the fall

When the bed and garden are empty after the season's crops, it's easy to think that gardening is over, but with some simple steps you can already this fall prepare the soil for the upcoming season. That way, you can get started extra early and even get an extra harvest next season.

Fertilizer
Micro-life - the garden's smallest helper

Micro-life - the garden's smallest helper

All soil needs something that cannot be seen with the naked eye - microorganisms. They not only create nutrient-rich soil, but also ensure its health. But what are microorganisms and what do they actually do? Here we will take a closer look at the almost invisible, but important helpers in the soil.

Fertilizer
Compost represents a recycling system where organic waste is broken down in a natural way by microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) and larger organisms, such as worms. Composting is an excellent way to handle household waste and garden waste, and best of all, you simultaneously produce your own soil.

Compost provides nutrient-rich soil.

Visne and rotten plants and organic waste can, through composting, produce a nutrient-rich soil that is important for soil improvement. Many of the plants we sell often require nutrient-rich soil. Although composting is a natural process, it can take several years for natural decomposition to occur. There is a science behind how to best assist this process to happen as quickly as possible, so that we can naturally fertilize our gardens and crops with an environmentally friendly and desirable product.

This is how you succeed with garden compost

There are various ways to help the composting process go faster, and the way to compost depends greatly on the conditions one has in their garden. A family living in a densely populated area with a small garden has completely different conditions than someone living more rurally. But it is possible to compost no matter where you live. Composting is a way to help nature, so the effort you put into composting is very valuable for a natural and healthy environment. It is also good to know that the product of composting means better nutrient management by using nutrients from your own garden to help the vegetation on site. When fertilizing with a purchased product, you give the plants the nutrients they need, but the soil itself does not improve. Furthermore, the nutrients in purchased fertilizer are immediately activated. With composted soil improvement, nutrients are released little by little and are useful for the plant over a longer period.

Various types of composting

There are several ways to compost. Read about some of the methods below, and choose the one that best suits you.
Surface composting is exactly what it sounds like - you compost directly on the surface. This type of composting takes a little longer, but is effective and appreciated by the plants in the garden. Surface composting can be done anywhere, from a small garden to a large farm. Collect compostable material and spread it out as a layer of 5-10 centimeters on the ground around shrubs, perennials, or between rows in the vegetable garden. This layer helps to retain moisture in the soil and also keeps weeds at bay. At the same time, earthworms in the soil benefit from this layer and make the soil porous. As the layer breaks down, more nutrients are released to the plants.

Burial

One option for most people is to bury the compostable material directly into the soil. A depth of about 20 centimeters is perfect and effective when the ground is no longer frozen. Feel free to mix the compostable material into the existing soil and chop it into as small pieces as possible. Coffee grounds and tea bags are good alternatives to bury in this way. Composting requires oxygen, which means you should not bury everything in the same place, but spread it out in smaller portions in several places. Bury this material under bushes, between rows, or in various places in the vegetable garden, to give life to both soil and animals.

Compost heap

This is the most common way for most people to compost today - by collecting everything in a pile or in a container. When composting in this way, it is important to ensure that it is moist. If the compost heap is too dry, no decomposition will occur. Composting requires oxygen, so it is important that the pile of compostable material is not too compact. You can mix in some coarser material to create air pockets. Heat also accelerates decomposition. A large compost heap with good decomposition will become hot, ideally around 40-50 degrees. A compost heap must be turned over once a year and mixed up to give everything a chance to break down. The result is nutrient-rich and valuable soil improvement for all the plants in the garden.

Composter with a compost bin

Choose an insulated compost bin if you plan to compost animal food waste, such as meat and fish. This way, you can also compost during winter. The bin should be tight and have a lid, to prevent rats and mice from entering. Consider that a family of four produces about 12 liters of compostable household waste per week. In that case, the bin should be around 200-400 liters. For garden waste, an uninsulated bin is sufficient.

Here's how to do it:

  1. Place the compost bin in a shaded area protected from the wind, preferably on a lawn or on bare ground.
  2. Start with a layer of branches, twigs, and coarse garden waste to allow air flow from below. Then add a layer of finer garden waste, followed by a layer of finished compost or soil. Now you can add your own household waste.
  3. Spread out all the waste and add composting material. The decomposition process will be faster if the raw materials are finely shredded, and the material will take up less space in the bin.
  4. Aerate the compost with a compost turner regularly to keep it alive. Adequate air supply is essential for effective composting. The compost should never be packed or compacted.
  5. After 8-10 months, you will have a perfect compost soil that can be used as fertilizer and planting soil. Decomposition is most efficient when the temperature is between 35 and 55 degrees Celsius, with the fastest process occurring between 40 and 55 degrees Celsius.

What kind of waste can you compost?

Ash
Ash from wood stoves, ovens, and fireplaces can be added to compost, but not in large quantities – a maximum of 2 dl per 100 liters of compost. Instead, spread the ashes over the lawn, where they will be more useful as they help counteract acidification and moss growth. Avoid using ashes from coal, coke, and cigarettes.

Bark
All types of bark can be added to the compost, but it must be finely shredded. Due to its high carbon content, bark breaks down slowly and should be mixed with materials like grass clippings.

Branches
All types of branches can be added to the compost, but spruce branches, in particular, can be harmful to certain plants, especially in large quantities.

Bones
Bones can be added to the compost, but they decompose very slowly. Smaller bones, such as those from poultry, can be processed with a compost shredder, while larger bones need to be crushed by hand.

Feathers
Feathers are rich in nitrogen and are excellent for compost.

Fruit
Fruits and berries can be added to compost, but citrus fruits like oranges and lemons should be finely shredded to decompose within a reasonable time.

Branches and Twigs
Finely shredded twigs and branches mixed with materials such as grass clippings are excellent for compost. Use a compost shredder. If space allows, you can pile the branches and let them dry for a season before crumbling them by hand.

Charcoal
Small amounts of crushed charcoal from grills can be added to compost, but since it practically never breaks down, it provides no significant benefit.

Grass Clippings
Grass clippings must be well mixed with more carbon-rich materials. It's better to use them as fertilizer in flower beds, where they are more beneficial.

Sod
Sod, for example from lawn edging, is perfect for compost if you shake off most of the dirt to prevent it from becoming too compacted.

Hedge Clippings
Hedge clippings are suitable as a base for compost. If finely shredded, they can also be mixed with other compost materials, provided they are not in excessive amounts.

Hay and Straw
Hay and straw must be mixed with nitrogen-rich materials, such as fresh grass clippings or animal manure.

Soil
A little garden soil works wonders in compost.

Cones
Cones break down slowly but help aerate the compost.

Kitchen Waste
Kitchen waste is rich in nitrogen and is one of the best materials to add to compost.

Latrine Waste
Latrine waste can be used in compost, but remember to cover it. Special permission is usually required to compost latrine waste.

Leaves
Leaves should be added to the compost when they are as fresh as possible. Older leaves should be finely chopped and mixed with a nitrogen-rich material.

Weeds
Weeds can be added to compost, but don’t forget to cover them.

Paper
Household paper, unbleached napkins, paper bags, egg cartons, and similar packaging can be added to compost.

Seaweed and Kelp
Seaweed and kelp from the beach are rich in nitrogen and can be mixed with dry leaves or sawdust. Be cautious with the amount, as excessive sodium can be harmful to certain plants.

Snail Shells
Snail shells can be crushed or ground, but should not be added in large quantities.

Manure
Manure is excellent for compost. Mix it with dry leaves, straw, sawdust, or another carbon-rich material.

Rock Flour
Rock flour contains silicon and other essential minerals that bacteria break down. A small amount of rock flour can be added to compost.

Sawdust
Sawdust can be added to compost, but it must be well mixed with other materials. If the sawdust is from wood cut with a chainsaw, it may contain small amounts of chain oil, which is unsuitable for compost. Switch to biodegradable chain oil if you haven’t already.

Newspapers
Newspapers can be used in compost when crumpled or torn into strips and mixed with grass clippings or kitchen waste, but they should never be added in large quantities.

Peat
Peat can be added to compost in small amounts, but it is more useful in flower beds.

Urine
Urine can be added to compost, but it is more beneficial when used in flower beds or as a fertilizer for the lawn.

Whey
Whey is nutrient-rich and fits well in compost when finely shredded.

What should one avoid mixing in compost?

Lime
It is a common misconception that compost should be limed. In reality, lime often does more harm than good, as it binds valuable nitrogen from the compost and releases it into the air as ammonia.

Artificial Fertilizers
Artificial fertilizers should be avoided for environmental reasons.

Sand, Stone, Clay
Sand, stone, and clay are not suitable for compost as they do not decompose and can negatively affect the compost's structure.

Fat
Fat, such as butter and cooking oil, should be avoided in large quantities. They can disrupt the composting process and attract pests.

Salt
Salt can be harmful to the compost and plants if used in larger quantities.

Cigarette Butts and Tobacco Ash
Cigarette butts and tobacco ash contain heavy metals and substances that are harmful to plants.

Vacuum Cleaner Bags
Vacuum cleaner bags often contain heavy metals and other pollutants, making them unsuitable for compost.

Inorganic Material
Inorganic materials such as glass, metal, and plastic should not be added to compost, as they do not break down and can contaminate the compost.

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