Why compost?

So you're wondering...why compost? Are there really valid reasons to compost? Absolutely! There are lots of benefits to you, your garden AND the environment!

I have to say that I love composting! I feel so "organic" and like I'm doing my small part to help the environment. Let's discuss the question: "Why compost?" and see if we can convince even the skeptics that this is a worthwhile endeavor.

1. Decrease the waste added to landfills - You can add lots of kitchen scraps to your compost and lessen the amount of garbage you add to the landfills. Kitchen scraps that can be added to compost are coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, egg shells, fruits and vegetables such as apples, oranges, papayas, avocados, celery, carrots, potatos, tomatos, peppers, limes, lemons, lettuce, spinach, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries....the list goes on and on. You can add any fruit or vegetable (or part of) which has not come into contact with any other food item, and which is in its raw form. I have also added napkins and paper towels as long as they are without coloring and have only been used to clean "approved" items for the compost. (You can also add shredded newspaper!)

2. Increase the use of organic fertilizer - Compost is a naturally organic fertilizer which will not harm the environment or the plants in your yard. Because you produce the compost, you do not need to purchase processed fertilizer, and thereby decrease the need for such. Decreasing the need for processed fertilizer, decreases the demand for processed fertilizer, and eventually decreases the supply! Consider it your small way of helping to improve the environment.

3. Improve the quality of the soil in your yard - I don't know about your soil, but mine was not in the best shape when I moved into my house 5 years ago. The soil was heavy with clay, and was extremely compact, indicating it had not been "worked" in quite awhile. Adding compost to the soil in the garden and throughout the yard, has led to the overall improvement in the quality of the soil. The improved soil has helped me to produce healthier and happier plants.

4. Gives you permission to collect grass clippings - If this doesn't answer the "Why compost?" question, then I don't know what will. When I was young, people who wanted to preserve their pristine lawns, collected grass clippings and added them to their garbage.....oh, the horror!!! You can imagine how much bulk was added to the landfills as a result! Not the earth-friendly thing to do, but many people didn't like the alternative - leaving the grass clippings to naturally decompose on their lawn. Grass clippings, particularly if moist, sometimes form dense, matted patches that smother out the grass below it, leaving dead spots throughout your lawn. Grass clippings can cause havoc for a pool or hot tub adding lots of debris, and they tend to collect on bare feet and shoes, which make their way into your house! As if you don't have a hard enough time keeping your house clean, right? Very messy, indeed! Composting allows you to legitimately collect those clippings and add them to your pile. No messy lawns, no dead patches of grass, and no increase in the earth's landfills. :)

(side note, be sure that you are using organic lawn fertilization methods - such as Milorganite if you add grass clippings to your compost)

and last but not least, "Why compost?" reason number five:

5. It's fun! - Oh, you may not want to admit it in public, but don't we all like to play in the dirt?? C'mon...all of you part-time garderners...you know what I'm talking about!! Making compost gives us a reason to play in the dirt....turn it, pile it, move it....so much fun!

So, has this information helped you answer the question? "Why compost?" I certainly hope so!

If I've managed to convince you, and was able to give you some reasons to compost, feel free to browse through the other information that I have available on how to compost to get you started on your composting journey. I solute you and thank you for saving the environment one compost pile at a time. :) Happy composting!

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