If you live in Nevada, you may be wondering whether composting can be a good way to make more use of your waste and even improve the quality of your yard. Does the climate lend itself to composting or is it too hot and arid? Are there too many pests and will compost attract them? There are lots of things to consider when evaluating if composting is a good plan for your compost home.
What is Composting?
Put simply, composting is the process of recycling your unwanted organic trash and waste, turning it into a soil which can be rich in minerals that plants need to grow. By creating a specific area for all of your organic waste to compost together, you can ensure that only useful soil is created. This waste will decompose over time and turn into compost or soil that you can then use in your gardening.
Composting Methods
There are a few different ways that you can start to compost. You can use an open area for green and brown waste which is known as open air composting. This can be done by setting aside an area and wiring or fencing it off, then simply collecting the materials there. Over time, compost will form.
You can use direct composting which means putting your old scraps straight into the soil and waiting for them to decompose, this can take a long time and can also mean that vermin can get attracted to the waste you’ve buried.
Other methods include tumblers which are containers which can be turned regularly to help regular composting, you can even get compost starter products to speed the process up.
Some people have turned to worm composting, too. Worms can digest anything you put in your compost pile and then turn it into minerals that can be used as fertilizer and compost when they excrete it as waste. You can get specific compost bins which are designed to contain worms and help the process.
Where to start?
The best way to start is to get some sort of tumbler or compost bin. Have one inside and one outside, this can allow you to collect kitchen scraps that you know can be transferred outside at a later date. Collecting organic matter is the main thing. Check what can be composted so that you aren’t putting items in which will never decompose.
Mistakes to avoid when composting in Nevada
Don’t attract pests! The main mistake people make is leaving food scraps in an area where rats may want to get to them. If you can, create your compost in a sealed bin or tumbler so that vermin can’t get to them. The same applies for direct composting, avoid this method as it might attract creatures you don’t want.
Compost smells can also smell! This depends partially on what you plan to put in your compost pile, but you should keep this in mind when you are creating your composting area. Don’t place it straight under a window that is always open! You can very quickly start to notice a nasty smell, especially if the composting method is open air.
What you can and can’t compost?
There are long lists of specific items to show you what can and can’t be composted. Generally, kitchen scraps and anything which could be consumed (or offcuts from your food) can be composted along with paper, leaves and other organic matter. Green and brown things are often compostable, but always check if you are unsure.
Is Nevada’s climate ok for composting?
Yes, the heat is good for compost and helps it to decompose quickly and turn into usable compost. What’s more, the area can be short on this kind of quality soil. The need for composting is often much higher in dry spaces, if you live way out in the desert you may know how difficult it is to plant certain vegetables, fruits and flowers. Often, compost that you have created yourself is the best way to make sure you are getting the nutrients to things that you want to grow, and increase your chances of a beautiful garden or fruitful crop.
