Composting is the best way to sustain our world

By Amanda Bazil

You constantly hear the many ways you can help keep the earth happy and green: walk or bike somewhere instead of using your car; reduce, reuse, recycle; use a reusable water bottle instead of tossing every cup and bottle you use. This generation does have a desire to effect change, but sometimes, old methods are best.

If you are into the kind of agriculture that supports the wellbeing of your body and the environment, consider the benefits of the age-old farmer’s practice of composting.

Composting is the natural process of recycling organic material such as leaves and vegetable scraps into a rich soil amendment that farmer’s fondly nicknamed “Black Gold.”

Composting dates back to the stone age, and since then, traces of this ancient practice have been seen throughout different civilizations all over the world, according the National Geographic.

The results create nutrient rich soil that retains moisture, allowing for vegetation to thrive while suppressing plant diseases and pests. Moreover, composting allows for the production of bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material. This in turn enhances the crops’ ability to be fruitful, improving its flavor and nutrition.

And let’s not forget the fact that composting helps reduce methane emissions from landfills and lowers your carbon footprint.

Those who came before us understood and knew the value of the biodegradable breakdown coming from old trees, leaves, plants and scraps of fruits and vegetables.

Unfortunately, many people today are absolutely clueless as to how to compost. While composting may sound like a complicated procedure, in reality, once you get into the habit, it’s not difficult at all, and it can actually be fun.

While there are options to buy bagged compost making homemade compost is actually better for the environment because we already have so many of the ingredients that make up compost right in our own home.

Bonnie Plants, a family owned operation that began working in agriculture since 1918, advises using the trimmings from fruits and vegetables from your kitchen, old plants from your garden, and leaves and grass clippings from your yard.

It’s also suggested to get a stationary composter that can hold and conceal your compost out of view and away from unwanted animals.

Another important tip to knowing how to  balance the browns and greens.

This is basically ensuring that the tree bark (browns) and fruits and veggies (greens) ratio remains at a three-parts brown and one-part green.

The size of this would differ depending on the amount of compost created, but attaining this balance promises a healthy, balanced compost.

Edeline Severe, a second grade North Miami Elementary school teacher, gardens with her class under the Education Fund, or EdFund, a private sector that provides leadership and support for innovation in public education in Miami-Dade County Public School.

In the last three years, Severe has learned a lot about composting and encourages novices to do their research before starting as there are different ways of going about it.

“Some people have different methods,” Severe said. “They either like to do it in a bin, or in their backyard, which I advise being careful of as anything can get in there.”

She also warns others of the challenges that composting presents such as the kinds of animals that lurk around and the patience needed to withstand the lengthy time-frame.

Unwanted garden pests— such as snakes, worms and other critters—are definitely a challenge as well waiting for the compost to decompose and transform into soil, but the small amount of trouble is worth the effort.

If we want to be the generation that helps take environmental consciousness to the next level, then we need to ensure a clean, healthy environment where fresh produce is available everywhere and to everyone. Luckily,  you can do it right in your own backyard. So start composting.

Photo retrieved by Flickr.