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Compost and Mulch

Composting and using mulch are not new ideas. Compost is the natural breakdown of plant remains and other once-living materials to make an earthy, dark, crumbly substance that is excellent for adding to houseplants or enriching garden soil. Making your own compost is not only beneficial for your garden, but ecologically sound as leaves, yard waste, and some household waste and organic materials can be used. Mulch is a layer of material placed over soil to modify the effects of the local climate. It is used to hold in moisture, insulate from cold, and as an assist in controlling weeds. To learn more and share knowledge about compost and mulch, ask and answer questions about them here.

878 Questions

Is vermi-compost bio-fertilizer?

Yes, vermi-compost is bio-fertilizer.

Specifically, a bio-fertilizer adds or augments nutrients in soil through the input of organic materials. Compost exists through the breakdown of compostable materials -- which are carbon- and nitrogen-rich -- into dark, fresh, nutrient-rich organic matter. Vermi-compost represents the breakdown which happens through the use of special worms.

What contributes most of the material found in humus?

Carbon and nitrogen -- through human-intervened composting or nature-induced erosion -- are most responsible for the organic matter in humus.

Specifically, organic matter contains the organic compounds carbon and nitrogen. Carbon functions as the energy-driving source. Proper composting and erosion result in soil with a 10:1 ratio of carbon to nitrogen.

What percent of new compost should be old compost?

There is no need to mix old and new compost. Old compost ,if ready, should be used on its own. New material will take time to rot down to compost.

Who uses compost?

Cultivators, farmers, gardeners and retailersuse compost.

Specifically, compost designates dark-colored, fresh-smelling, organic matter-rich soil. It is produced by humankind -- through aerobic decomposition -- or Mother Nature -- through erosion. It is used as a fertilizer or mulch. It therefore will be used by those who grow edibles and ornamentals or those who sell farm-, garden- and lawn-related supplies.

What kinds of compost are offered at Cedar Grove?

Cedar Grove offers several kinds of compost. They sell landscape mulch, organic compost, compost with manure and compost mixed with sand. One can order the compost online.

Which brand provides the best quality compost turner?

There are a number of brands that provide good quality compost turning. Deciding the best is down to personal preference. Some of the best brands are Yard Butler and Exaco Trading.

Why is compost taken from the bottom of the container?

Configuration (contained or uncontained piles) to employ, location (kitchen, yard) to select, materials (carbon- and nitrogen-rich indoor and outdoor recyclables), and uses (amendment, fertilizer, mulch) to prioritize are compost strategies. The term strategy refers to the realization of large-scale, long-term planning, all of which is involved in the above-mentioned decision-making.

Compost at the bottom of the container has been there longest and will be the most decomposed of the pile.

How can flies be eliminated from grass clippings not meant as compost piles?

Eliminating any decomposing animals or foods and removing the nitrogen-rich materials in question to the burn, compost or garbage pile are ways to eliminate flies from a pile of grass clippings not meant as a compost heap. The presence of the insects in question indicates that opportunities for feeding, mating, and sheltering are offered in attractively plentiful and secure ways.

What types of containers can be used as compost containers?

There are a variety of containers that can be used for your compost pile. You can purchase containers specifically designed to hold your compost, or you can get creative and make your own. This can be done using plastic storage containers, wood, trash cans, etc. You can also choose to forgo a container altogether, and just have a free standing compost pile in your garden.

Where can one purchase a kitchen compost bin?

One can purchase a kitchen compost bin from any good department or hardware store such as Walmart or Lowes. Alternatively, one can purchase this from eBay if needed.

How do you get mulch dye out of t shirt that is pink?

To get mulch dye out of a t-shirt that is pink, use color guard balls. These can be thrown in the wash with the clothes, and will not allow other colors to fade.

Where can one find advice on how to make compost?

There are several places one can find advice on how to make compost. Tutorials can be found online at sites such as Garden Organic or Earth Easy. One can also go to the library and find books on how to make compost.

How much of an area can you cover with 2 cu ft of mulch spread 1 inch thick?

The answer you seek is printed on the bag; it should be fairly prominent.

Which materials are the best decomposers for compost heaps?

The best types of decomposers in compost heaps are natural. These include spiders, ground beetles, and predatory mites. Other quality materials are bacteria and fungi.

What does a compost toilet do?

There are many ways one might use a compost toilet. A compost toilet uses the natural work of nature to help decompose waste that then might be used in a farming application.

What are composting bins used for?

They are used to compost organic scraps. That way you would not waste money on manmade fertilizer from the stores. They make the Soil much richer for growing fruits and vegetables and excellent garnish herbs such as parsley and basil.

Where can you buy cheap compost pails?

Most home improvement stores sell compost pails for prices around $50. Lowes and Home Depot stock pails for $54. Some department stores, such as Macy's, also sell compost pails.

Why does a compost attract to a north magnetic and repel by the south?

OK- first, it is a compass. The needle of a compass is a magnet. It points to the Eath's Magnetic Poles- the two spots where the Earth's magnetic field comes out of the ground. In magnetism, opposites attract, likes repel.

Can you put watermelon rinds in the compost?

Yes, watermelon rinds can be added to compost. They are high in water content and will break down over time, contributing valuable nutrients to the compost. However, it's best to chop them into smaller pieces to speed up the decomposition process and maintain a balanced compost pile. Avoid adding large amounts at once to prevent issues with odor or pests.

What does not go in garden compost?

any non biodegradbles like plastics and metals. you should also avoid milk and meat products, while they can compost before they do they will attract wild animals and smell badly. you should also avoid human and meat eating feces (like dogs) cos they may contain diseases which you dont want to spread around.

Why do people use three compost bins?

To maximize the composting process and to use the compost timely are reasons why people use three compost bins.

Specifically, the first bin contains the most recently-added compostable materials. The second bin gets materials that are about half-way through the process of breaking down. The third bin has the end product of dark, fresh, nutrient-rich organic matter. The configuration is defined in many ways, such as highest temperatures in the first bin, lower in the second, and ambient in the third. It lets the composter sort materials according to stage in the process so that composting can be realized with maximum efficiency and speed and used with minimum confusion and delays.

How much will a bag of 0.8 rubber mulch cover 2 inches deep?

Without knowing the size of the bag you haven't given us enough info to answer the question.

Where online could one purchase a reasonably priced urban compost tumbler?

Ebay and Amazon are two reasonably prices online stores that offer urban compost tumblers for sale. Craigslist and Kijiji are two other online retailers that may offer this product as well.

Why would you put leaves stems and weed in your compost?

Leaves and stems will break down and be beneficial to the compost, but woody stems might take a long time to break down. You should not put weeds in compost, especially if they have seeds on them because it can create a weed problem in your garden.

How many bags of mulch for 20 yds?

To determine how many bags of mulch you need for 20 cubic yards, first check the bag size; a common bag size is 2 cubic feet. There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard, so 20 cubic yards equals 540 cubic feet. Dividing 540 cubic feet by 2 cubic feet per bag means you'll need approximately 270 bags of mulch.