5 Tips to Turn Food Scrap Waste Into Fertilizer For Plants
Millions of pounds of food is wasted each and every year, This is about 1/5 of the food we eat. Where does all that food go? The landfill. Instead of contributing to the toxic sludge that is found at the bottom of these trash heaps, Contribute in a positive way to growing more food in your garden by turning this waste into black gold!
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1. Compost - |
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2. Vermicompost - For the more adventurous organic gardener, using worms can be one of the most effective forms of composting. 500 worms can eat 2 pounds of food scraps per week. No fancy contraptions needed, just put them in a plastic tote with some holes drilled in the bottom for drainage,and holes drilled on the top for air circulation. Then add shredded up news paper for the bedding and add food on top. NOTE: Feed worms exactly what you would feed a compost pile. no meat, dairy, salty, or greasy food. |
| 3. Bokashi composting - For the even more adventurous organic gardener, This organic method will compost ANYTHING. by adding bacteria to a bucket, you can compost anaerobically (without oxygen) food scraps like meat, dairy, vegetable scraps, and anything else you might imagine. This can be very beneficial, but also has its risks. However the risk matches the reward of being almost 100% self sustainable using this method. |
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4. Chicken food - Chickens will eat just about anything. What they don't eat, don't worry they just won't eat it. Chickens can provide not only eggs but beneficial nutrients for the garden. Their poo can be hot, so composting, and letting the nitrogen cool off a bit is necessary to prevent burning. However, the leftover product is pure gold for your organic vegetable garden. |
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5. Pit Composting - For those of you who want to compost, but don't want a compost pile, or a compost tumbler, You can still compost! By making a pit where you want to grow food next year, you can bury your food scraps in a hole, add water, and cover with dirt and watch the magic happen! NOTE: Add only what you add to a compost pile, No meat, dairy, salty, or greasy foods. |
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Now you can minimize your input into the local landfill, and maximize your gardens output! Happy gardening!
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