Contribution from Freelance Writer Jess on Veganism and Composting

I hope you are enjoying the articles from Jess as much as I am !!!  Here is her latest on how helping the planet by composting.   THANKS Jess !!!

Compost Your Way To A Self-Sufficient Garden

Veganism isn’t just doing your duty towards animals - it helps the planet, too. The livestock industry is a huge polluter, accounting for 14.5% of man-made greenhouse gases every year. Reducing the demand for meat and dairy reduces the strain on our green and blue marble! However, there are a few extra steps you can take yourself.

We’re talking about composting of course, and in this article we’ll walk through the steps of creating and using the stuff. You’ll make full use of your household waste, help the planet and make delicious veg, with your time in the garden improving health to boot.

What Can I Compost?

Before you go head-first into composting, bear in mind that not everything can be put into a composter. There are plenty of things you can compost, including the bulk of what will be in your diet. This is why composting is so good for vegans, because nearly everything you eat can find its way into your compost pile, as opposed to waste from non-biological goods.

There are a few things you shouldn’t compost. Fats and oils, including products like olive oil and coconut oil, will not be good. Also, if you’ve picked up any produce that’s been treated with pesticides, keep it away from the pile as it will leach into your final product.

How Do I Get Going?

For the beginner, composting is incredibly simple. The process works by the breakdown of your waste into a bacteria-laden, mulch heap that’s packed full of nutrients and growth increasing compounds. You can set up a heap in your garden for starters; use soil or leaves to compact your waste into a heap. Make sure you keep it soaking wet, as the bacteria inside need water to get working on the waste. Regularly turn the pile with a pitchfork to get oxygen aerating through the heap. After at least two months, and sometimes longer, you’ll have compost.

What Do I Do With The End Product?

When you have the end product, it’s time to put it to use. This will act as a fertilizer, encouraging your plants to bloom quickly and powerfully. You can implement fertilizer by spreading it around the base of plants, on top of soil. Keep it away from leaves and the stem itself, as some composts can ‘burn’ the plant due to the concentrations of nutrients. With that done, you can grow your veg bigger, faster and stronger. With the right stuff, you might have a contender for the biggest vegetable contests.

Composting is a great way to develop self sufficiency in your home and in the process grow tasty, big vegetables. And to top it all off, you’ll be doing your bit to save the planet.