How to make compost for your plants at home

Plants are living beings that, like us, need adequate nutrition to grow and thrive. Fertilizer is an essential element in plant care, since it provides the nutrients necessary for their development. If you are a gardening enthusiast or simply want to keep your houseplants healthy and beautiful, learning how to make compost at home is a valuable skill that will allow you to improve the health of your plants and reduce organic waste in your home.

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The Benefits of Homemade Fertilizer

Before we dive into composting at home, it's important to understand why this effort is worth it. Here are some of the key benefits of homemade compost:

• Natural Nutrients: Homemade fertilizer is rich in natural nutrients essential for plant growth, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
• Sustainability: By making your own compost, you can reduce the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills, thus contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.
• Cost Efficient: Making compost at home is usually cheaper in the long run than purchasing commercial fertilizers.
• Soil Improvement: Homemade fertilizer improves the structure of the soil, increasing its capacity to retain water and nutrients, which benefits plants.
• Chemical Reduction: By avoiding chemical-laden commercial fertilizers, you can ensure that your plants are not exposed to harmful substances.

Types of Homemade Fertilizer

There are several types of homemade fertilizer, each with its own characteristics and applications. Here are three of the most common types:

Compost Fertilizer
Compost is one of the most popular and versatile homemade fertilizers. It is created from organic waste, such as kitchen scraps, fallen leaves, grass clippings, and small branches. Compost is rich in nutrients and helps improve soil structure.

Worm Compost (Lombricompost)
Vermicompost is a special type of compost enriched by worms. These small worms decompose organic matter faster and produce compost even richer in nutrients and beneficial microorganisms for plants.

Compost Tea Fertilizer
Compost tea is a liquid solution made by soaking compost in water. It is a great way to immediately provide nutrients to your plants through irrigation.

Ingredients to Make Compost at Home

Choosing the right ingredients is essential to obtain a quality fertilizer. Below are the essential items you will need:

1. Organic Matter

Organic matter is the basis of any homemade fertilizer. You can use a variety of materials, such as:

• Kitchen scraps (fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, crushed egg shells).
• Fallen leaves.
• Grass clippings.
• Small branches.
• Cardboard and paper without ink.

2. Microorganisms
Microorganisms are essential for the decomposition process that converts organic matter into compost. They can be found naturally in organic materials, but you can also add worms or manure to speed up the process.

3. Water
Water is necessary to maintain adequate moisture in your compost or vermicompost pile. You want to make sure the materials are damp but not soaked.

4. Air
Bacteria that break down organic matter need oxygen to survive. Make sure there is enough air circulation in your compost pile or worm system.

Steps to Make Compost at Home

Now that you have a basic understanding of the types of compost and the ingredients needed, it's time to learn how to make compost at home. Follow these steps to obtain high-quality fertilizer:

1. Choose the Type of Subscription
Decide what type of compost you want to make. You can opt for traditional compost, vermicompost or compost tea, depending on your needs and available resources.

2. Prepare the Materials
Gather all the organic materials you plan to use, such as kitchen scraps, leaves, branches, and cardboard. Shred or cut larger materials into smaller pieces to speed up the decomposition process.

3. Create a Space for Compost
Select a suitable location in your garden or in a special container to make compost. Make sure it is well ventilated and protected from direct rain and extreme sun.

4. Start Composing
Start compounding your compost in alternating layers of green materials (rich in nitrogen) and brown materials (rich in carbon). This helps maintain a balanced carbon to nitrogen ratio and speeds up the decomposition process.

5. Maintain Humidity
Make sure the materials are damp but not soaked. Water occasionally if necessary.

6. Flip the Compost
Every few weeks, stir the compost to aerate it and speed up decomposition. If you are vermicomposting, avoid disturbing the worms too much.

7. Patience
The composting process can take weeks or months, depending on the conditions and materials used. Be patient and watch your materials transform into high-quality compost.

8. Collect and Feed your Plants
Once your compost is ready, you can use it to feed your plants. Spread it on the soil around your plants or use compost tea for watering. Your plants will thank you with healthy growth and beautiful flowers!

Tips for Homemade Composting Success

Here are some additional tips to ensure your homemade compost is a success:

• Avoid unwanted materials: Don't add cooked foods, meat or dairy products to your compost pile, as they can attract pests.
• Maintain a balance: Make sure you have a good ratio of green to brown materials for a balanced compost.
• Control the temperature: The ideal temperature for composting is between 50°C and 65°C. If it is too cold, decomposition will be slow; if it's too hot, you can kill beneficial microorganisms.
• Take care of the worms: If you opt for vermicompost, provide the worms with a suitable environment with enough organic matter and maintain adequate humidity.
• Be aware of time: Patience is key. Don't expect to get credit overnight; The process takes time, but the results are worth it.

Remember that each type of fertilizer has its own advantages and applications, so choose the one that best suits your needs. With the right ingredients and following the steps mentioned, you will be able to produce high-quality compost that will make your plants flourish and thrive. Now is the time to start creating your own homemade compost and enjoy a lush, healthy garden!