Bacteria break down food waste in a compost bin.
Composting food or lawn waste reduces the amount trash you throw away and provides a free soil amendment for your garden or lawn. During the process of composting, bacteria and other soil organisms, such as fungi and worms, break down waste into an earthy, soil-like material called humus. These bacteria and organisms, which also decompose dead plants and animals in nature, get sustenance from the carbon and nitrogen in waste. Microbes usually break down waste into humus in less than a year. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Place your compost bin in a shady, well-drained area near your water supply.
2. Add yard waste, such as grass clippings and pine needles, as well as food waste, such as coffee grounds and vegetable peels, to your compost bin. You can also compost paper and cardboard, cotton, wool, dryer lint and fireplace ashes.
3. Add water if the compost becomes dry. Bacteria, fungi and other soil organisms require a moist environment to survive.
4. Turn the compost with a hoe each time you add more waste. This adds oxygen to the compost pile, which bacteria and other organisms need to survive.
5. Remove compost and add it to your garden or lawn once it looks like rich, brown soil.
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