Composting.
Composting is the miracle of turning death into life.
Practically speaking, as plant matter decays, it releases nutrients that can be used by other plants to help them grow and be fruitful. Composting also has social and moral dimensions. It involves respect for all living things and a recognition that nothing is worthless, even life forms that appear tattered and worn out. Composting takes what is considered waste and turns it into blessing. |
Making compost for a garden.
Compost is created quickest if it's made in a layered heap.
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The Carbon-Nitrogen Ratio.
The ideal compost contains a combination of carbon and nitrogen, about 30:1 Carbon:Nitrogen. This ratio is really important for successful compost. All compost ingredients contain different amounts of these nutrients, some higher in one over the other.
If an ingredient for your compost has more carbon than this ratio, (i.e. 50:1, Carbon:Nitrogen) it’s known as a “brown” ingredient.
If a waste product has less carbon than this ratio, (i.e. 15:1) it’s known as a “green” ingredient.
You need a good mixture of brown and green ingredients to make healthy compost. It helps the microorganisms present in the compost to break it down properly.
http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/blog/living-the-green/recipe-for-the-perfect-compost/
The ideal compost contains a combination of carbon and nitrogen, about 30:1 Carbon:Nitrogen. This ratio is really important for successful compost. All compost ingredients contain different amounts of these nutrients, some higher in one over the other.
If an ingredient for your compost has more carbon than this ratio, (i.e. 50:1, Carbon:Nitrogen) it’s known as a “brown” ingredient.
If a waste product has less carbon than this ratio, (i.e. 15:1) it’s known as a “green” ingredient.
You need a good mixture of brown and green ingredients to make healthy compost. It helps the microorganisms present in the compost to break it down properly.
http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/blog/living-the-green/recipe-for-the-perfect-compost/