Often those who live in the city think they have to sacrifice their green thumb qualities but today we learned that it’s not true, we can invite nature to come into our small apartments!
But how? Most of our waste consists of food and kitchen scraps, twigs and garden clippings which, if sorted and treated correctly, can become compost, an excellent fertilizer to use for the care of plants, vegetable gardens and gardens.
What is compost?
Compost is a biological and aerobic degradation process in which organic residues are transformed into compost, thanks to the action of a series of organisms (for example mushrooms, bacteria and earthworms) operating in oxygen-rich environments and which lead to the production of a family of compounds known as humus.
The organic fraction can be transformed into compost with an industrial process, in special plants, or with home composting.
In the workshop we had, we focused on this topic and we learned how it is possible to do it even if you live in a small apartment.
We used two different methods: the first one only with natural bacterias and the second one was vermicompost, which works thanks to special worms called earthworms.
How to use compost?
Everything that was once alive and that microorganisms can digest can be composted, the selection of materials starts in the Kitchen and we have to respect some rules to feed our compost friends:
-no processed or cooked food because they spread antagonistic bacterias that will destroy our work.
-no bones because the decomposition time is very long (10/20 years) and both microorganisms and worms can not face them.
-the carbon to nitrogen ratio: Carbon is essential for energy, the microbial oxidation of carbon produces the heat needed for other parts of the composting process.
-Nitrogen: to make more organisms grow and reproduce, which oxidize carbon.
To maintain this equilibrium it is important to give to the compost different types of vegetables and fruits for the Nitrogen part and to add dry papers or small pieces of wood and leaves to contribute to the carbon share.
-Air: it is very important that the compost is ventilated because in the absence of oxygen the organic substance rots instead of turning into humus
-Heat: it is essential, for the life of microorganisms, and especially of worms that the temperature always oscillates between 15 and 25 degrees celsius
-Water: it is essential that the composting material maintains a high humidity. Without water there is no life.
Why do we suggest you try it?
Compost guarantees soil fertility, reduces the amount of waste to be disposed of in landfills and allows us not to have bad smells in the house due to the rotting process.
Soon we will show you how our compost it’s evolving and we will let you know if we have been careful in respecting all the rules!
Special thanks to Tünde, our indoor/ urban composting expert!
