Composting with kitchen waste

Composting is basically breaking down of an organic matter. There are several kinds of composting and one of the composting procedures is aerobic composting.

Aerobic composting:
Aerobic composting is decomposition of organic matter using microorganisms. Aerobic compost requires oxygen.

Requirements for aerobic composting: The main requirements for aerobic composting are compost bin, Greens, browns and decomposer.

Container or compost bin:
Drill the holes all over the sides and at the bottom of the compost bin for air circulation. Around 10 to 15 holes based on the size of the bin.

The bottom holes will help to drain out the excess moisture from the organic matter in the form of liquid and we call it as leachate. Collect the leachate and dilute with water and pour it in the soil as it contains good nutrients.

Greens:
Greens are nothing but food waste which is not cooked like vegetable and fruit peels. Even egg shells, rotten vegetables and fruits can be used.
Any kind of uncooked food waste can be added to compost bin. Do not add meat or cooked food. Greens have more Nitrogen content.

Greens

Browns:
Browns are dry leaves, shredded papers, cardboard pieces or cocopeat. Browns have more carbon. It will help to retain moisture and helps reduce fruit flies in the compost.
I use dry leaves and coco peat as browns.

Dry leaves

Coco peat

Decomposer:
Microbes are required to decompose the matter fast. That is, bacteria or fugus is required which are available in buttermilk, panchagavya, diluted cow dung slurry or semi decomposed compost.
Any one of the decomposers can be used.
I use buttermilk and semi decomposed compost for my new compost.

Composting Procedure:

Step 1: Spread a layer of newspaper at the bottom of the bin to absorb the excess moisture

Step 2: Spread a layer of greens and browns in the ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 based on the moisture retention. If you take a handful of greens, then add 2 or 3 handful of browns

Step 3: Mix both greens and browns

Step 4: Add a few drops of butter milk to accelerate the process of composting which acts as decomposer

Step 5: Repeat the same process everyday till the bin is full

Step 6: Once the bin is full keep it aside and then add a little buttermilk and keep stirring every 4 to 5 days. This will help the air to circulate and speeds up composting

Step 7: Use another bin and follow the procedure to continue with composting.

Within 60 to 90 days the compost will be ready.

Important points:

• To accelerate the composting process, shred the greens and browns in to small pieces
• Place a plate at the bottom of the bin and collect the leachate
• Make the butter milk and keep it outside for 2 to 3 days and sprinkle on the matter that will generate microorganisms in composting process
• If there is excess moisture it leads to smell. To avoid this keep adding browns to absorb the moisture in it
• Do not keep compost bin in direct sunlight and protect it from rain.
• Do not add pest infected leaves in the compost bin.

Compost gives you a very good nutrients for the plants. You need not have to buy it if you start your own composting.

You can really reduce the waste going into landfills and can be a part of saving the environment.

Happy Composting 😊

Growing mint(pudina) in containers.

 Mint is one of the easiest procedures to grow at home. Some of the benefits of mint leaves are
. Proper digestion
. Weight loss in a healthy way
. Skin care
. Quick and effective remedy for nausea
. Improves oral health

Procedure for growing mint in containers.

1. Take cuttings of the mint stems which has at-least  one node. Please find the picture how node looks like

2. Now fill water in glass or any small container and place the stem cuttings in water.
3. Change  the water every 3 days. Within 7 to 10 days roots will  develop from the nodes as shown below.

4. Once the roots are developed for at-least 1 to 2 inch then place them in pots.
5. The potting soil should consist organic compost or cow dung manure and cocopeat if available.

6. Place each stems for at least one inch gap between them.
7. With in a month you can harvest the mint leaves. 
8. Just cut the stems and leave at least 3 inch stem from the bottom and again within a month it will grow back.

How to care Mint plant:

1. Water the plants regularly.

2. Keep the soil moist( Soil should not get dry and water should not stagnate)

3. Do not use any chemicals if plant is infected with pests. Just prune the infected part.

4. Prune the plants in every 2 months.

5. Fertilize the plants once in every 4 to5 months with organic compost.

6. If it is a cold climate keep it in full sun and if it is tropical climate keep in partial sun.

Happy Gardening :)

Organic Terrace gardening basics.

To start your own garden, you should have container like pots or grow bags and soil mixture.

Container: You can use pots or grow bags or any type of containers which is available.

I am using pots, grow bags and containers like water jars and a big plastic containers shown in the picture which I brought from plastic scrap dealers.

It should have a good drainage holes so that water should not stagnate.

You can buy grow bags in nursery or online.

Soil mix: soil mix should have potting soil which is available for you, coco peat, compost and cow dung manure.

Compost will have all the nutrients which plant requires and cow dung will have NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium) which is very essential for all kind of plants.

Initially you can start with leafy vegetables which are very easy to grow like spinach, Amaranthus, Methi etc.

You can buy seeds nearby any local nurseries or online.

Let me explain you how to grow Methi at home:

1. Take tray like container which has at least 4-inch height.

2. Now take a soil mixture which includes potting soil, cocopeat, cow dung manure and compost in the ratio of 4:2:2:2(not a problem if differs) if you don’t have cow dung manure you can only add compost or vice versa.

3. Now take some Methi seeds which is easily available at home and sprinkle the seed all over the container and add a layer of soil mix over the seeds.

4. Now water the container using watering can or you have to sprinkle the water with your hands so that the soil should not disturb and keep it in your balcony or terrace.

After 3 to 4 days you can see the seeds will germinate and within 20 to 25 days you can harvest your Methi leaves.

Please have a look of my Methi leaves growing in container.

Now you can have your own chemical free, healthy and tasty food.

Gardening is also one of the best stress relievers. Try this and definitely you will get inspired to grow more by seeing your own plants which I have experienced.

Happy gardening. :)