Greenscape Gardens Green Blog

GREENSCAPE GARDENS COMPOSTING TIPS

Composting has been around since the first civilized people piled up their trash. However, when the earth was not heavily populated, a little trash did not seem important. Now we are producing great amounts of trash and composting has become important for reducing at least a portion of the waste stream. Vegetation matter is one of the most recyclable portions of waste. Home gardeners, landowners and municipalities can do a lot to reduce the accumulation of plant materials by composting them. Composting is not a difficult or highly technical process.

However, there are times when the process may not function properly. Successful composting is based on proper moisture, aeration and other environmental conditions. Green plants are largely composed of carbon and water. The carbon accumulates from the process known as photosynthesis during which carbon dioxide in the air becomes part of the plant with the resulting release of oxygen into the air. Certain bacteria, align with fungi and other organisms, are responsible for decomposing organic materials. These organisms require large amounts of nitrogen to function properly and achieve rapid decomposition. While the decomposition process is taking place, the nitrogen is tied up and not available for other functions. This is the same process that occurs when large amounts of organic matter are added to a garden, but not enough nitrogen is available. Plants growing in these conditions will be starved for nitrogen since the microorganisms breaking down the organic materials will keep the plants from getting it. Plants will look stunted and pale green. For additional information concerning composting and its benefits check: http://www.howtocompost.org/

Greenscape Gardens has been a stewart of earth by tending to our environment by composting accelerated biodegradeable materials (vegetative, straw, recycled potting soil) on site and we also utilize a commercial composting service for items which do not compost readily. If everyone does some form of composting, we can and will make a difference.