|
Composting
Composting
is an economical, non-toxic way to nourish soil. By composting, less
material congests our landfills not only because of the packaging
conserved by not buying commercial fertilizers, but because we are
utilizing our natural waste to grow life. Besides natural fertilizing
benefits, composting allows any individual to make use of their food
scraps, and other materials—even autumn leaves can be composted. There
are no negative externalities associated with composting, only
environmental positives, not to mention fresh, organic soil to promote
healthy plants.
Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting
is perhaps the most efficient form of composting kitchen waste, as the
use of worms and their nutrient waste allows any garden or plant to
flourish. “Worm casts (fecal matter) also contain five times more
nitrogen, seven times more phosphorus, and 11 times more potassium than
ordinary soil, the main minerals needed for plant growth.”
Furthermore, the worm casts do not contain any disease pathogens, since
these are dependably killed in the worm’s gut. The worms used are not
your typical large earthworm; there are two species used, Eisenia
foetida or Lumbricus rubellas, referred to as red worms, tiger worms,
brandlings, angle worms, manure worms, or red wrigglers.
KGMB and Composting
KGMB encourages gardening to strengthen local
communities. By growing life and learning together, we grasp the
fragility of the environment and the need to depend on each other to
maintain healthy, sustainable ecosystems. KGMB offers a composting
workshop, educating others how to turn kitchen scraps and yard waste
into nutrient-rich soil amendment, and a vericomposting workshop, which
teaches participants how to build a simple worm bin using common
household items.
|
