Gardening Compost

Most house and kitchen waste is nowadays carefully sorted and recycled. In Malta, there are particular recycling plants which are used, such as the Sant’Antnin Waste Treatment Plant in Marsaskala.

Nonetheless, some waste still finds itself directed to the Maghtab waste management facilities.

However, what many people don’t realise is that we can create compost at home.

You can use a large plastic or metal garden barrel if you have a large garden.

Create some holes in the bottom of the storage tank or barrel, from where water can run out, and you can throw in it kitchen scraps such as vegetables, fruit, paper (non-reflective), food waste, etc.

If possible, keep this tank or barrel in the furthest part of the garden as it can attract certain insects such as mosquitoes. In that way, it is less of a nuisance. Further, make sure that it is moistened regularly.

Many insects and other organisms will grow in this tank and will increase the speed at which the kitchen scraps decay and the compost is created.

Unwanted leaves or cuttings as a result of pruning or garden cleaning (those that do not have a thick stem) can also be used for composting within the same container.

It is remarkable to look at the amount of kitchen and garden scraps that you can put in such a container as it continues to decay and turn into compost.

Another suggestion is to cover the container well to avoid smells and attracting further pests.

Once or twice a year you can open the container and use the compost that has been created to add extra nutrients to your garden soil.

This nutrient-rich compost will help your garden grow and prosper. Not only can this provide greater life to exhausted soil, but it will help your plants and vegetables grow bigger.

More importantly, gardening compost needs no money to produce, it is uncomplicated to do and helps the world and the natural environment.

If you want to take your compost game to the next level, you may easily run a Google search for specialised compost bins. You need to keep in mind however that these options tend to be a little more expensive to use, although, in the end, you might actually get better and faster results.

Happy gardening!

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• GardenTalk
• Gardening in Malta