How To Make Your Own Compost
Did you know as much as 25% of the items in your trash can be used as compost?
Composting is a great way to reduce the amount of waste you produce on a regular basis, it’s relatively simple to produce, and it’s one of the best ways to feed your flower garden, lawn, or vegetables!
What is compost and how is it made?
Compost is decomposed organic material.
It’s a great way to use things in your refrigerator or pantry that are a little past their prime, while also eliminating waste.
What should you consider composting?
- Fruit & vegetable scraps
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
- Grass & plant clippings, dry leaves, straw, and finely chopped wood or bark chips
![what's good for compost](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0486/8259/8560/files/1_8586301f-4162-4171-8084-468f6e2ec49d.jpg?v=1617908433)
What shouldn’t you consider composting?
- Anything containing meat, oil, fat, or grease
- Diseased plant materials
- Wood chips from pressure-treated wood
- Dog or cat feces
- Dairy products
- Weeds that go to seed
![what's bad for compost](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0486/8259/8560/files/2_f4aa2bb7-bb83-4a8b-8397-e44fb7ba5cfa.jpg?v=1617908535)
There are 2 major types of composting: Cold and Hot
Cold composting is the passive form of composting that consists of adding organic waste to a pile or bin and allowing it to decompose over the course of a year or so.
Hot composting, on the other hand, is the active form of composting that involves the use of organic waste, nitrogen, carbon, air, and water to expedite the “cooking” process. The resulting compost is usually ready to use within 1-3 months during warm weather, but it requires a little more effort on your part.
The Benefits of Compost
Composting is a great way to reduce waste and support a healthy garden… But, those aren’t the only benefits associated with composting.
Here are some of our favorite reasons to compost:
- Combats climate change
- Reduces waste
- Prevents soil erosion
- Conserves water
- Improves soil health
- Promotes healthier plant growth
- Assists with stormwater management
- Builds community resilience & power
![Benefits of Composting](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0486/8259/8560/files/3_f5eee13f-b710-4d39-bb99-8c670c972a84.jpg?v=1617908563)
5 Simple Steps To Make Your Very Own Compost
Step 1) Construct your compost garden / set up your compost bin
Either build a garden bed or find a corner of your lawn where you wish to create your compost and set up your compost bin (you can also create a compost pile to save on cost).
Pro Tip: Plan your compost pile so it’s not near a common area or neighbor’s lawn where potential herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers could be used.
Step 2) Start gathering your raw, organic materials
As mentioned above, these materials should consist of things like grass clippings, leaves, twigs & shredded branches, fruit & vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells.
Step 3) Begin adding your organic material
Ideally you will want to wait until you have enough compost to make a pile at least 3 feet deep (this is where grass clippings, leaves, and shredded tree branches can come in handy).
Step 4) Water your compost pile
Regularly shower your compost pile with water (but not too much) to help feed the microorganisms in your compost so they can do their job!
*Note: Your compost pile should feel warm to the touch during the “cooking” process. If it’s not warm, you might either be watering it too much or not mixing it enough (see Step 5).
Step 5) Stir & mix up your compost pile
During the growing season, you should turn over your compost pile with a garden fork or shovel once a week so it can get the oxygen it needs to break down. Stirring the pile will also help it cook faster and prevents your pile from developing an odor.
Pro Tip: Regularly chop & shred raw materials into smaller sizes during mixing to speed up the composting process.
Our Farmer’s Composting Methods
As mentioned above, composting is a great way to feed a garden. And on an even larger scale, sustainable composting can help support an entire farm.
In fact, our farmer uses sustainable composting techniques to enrich the soil that feeds our high quality, ceremonial grade matcha!
For those that don’t know, soil is not the same thing as dirt. Soil is a living organism, a vital foundation for our Mother Earth.
When waste goes into the landfill, it only produces more methane gas that further contributes to climate change. Composting, on the other hand, benefits Mother Earth in more ways than one, returns much-needed nutrients to our soil, and supports our communities.
Unfortunately, in the current tea world, big franchises are taking over small farms to optimize profits - producing low quality tea and causing more tillage, with less focus on giving back to our soil.
Our farmer uses regenerative techniques by collecting global waste to create his own organic compost. Not just waste from Japan, but waste from all over the world. The surplus of waste is returned back to the soil to feed the microorganisms, providing the tea plants the proper nutrients to grow healthy and strong.
By providing our planet with an honorable solution, we are able to nurture nutrient-dense plants that result in the ultimate health of our people and our community.
When looking for a matcha brand, the first step is to do your research! Peruse through some websites and ask yourself if the company’s values align with your personal ethos.
What is their story and the positive impact they want to make? Is the product organically grown? What kind of energy is put into the process?
Beyond the product itself, it’s important to understand all of these factors before deciding what you put inside your body. There is no right or wrong answer - it’s truly about you... It’s about your journey, and the role you wish to play in this world.
Start Creating Your Very Own Organic Compost
Creating your own compost can seem like a daunting process, but it’s not about being perfect. It’s about making those small degrees of adjustments that lead to big changes!
Composting can even start from the comfort of your own home. Here are some resources to check out to start your sustainability practice today:
- General Information:
- Composting Methods:
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