The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Composting

Turn your kitchen scraps and yard waste into "black gold" for your garden. Composting is a simple, effective way to reduce waste, improve your soil's health, and grow healthier plants. This guide will walk you through the basics to get your first compost pile started.

What is Composting?

Composting is the natural process of decomposition, turning organic materials like vegetable scraps, leaves, and grass clippings into a rich, dark, soil-like substance called compost. When added to your garden, compost provides essential nutrients, improves soil structure, and helps retain moisture.

The Two Key Ingredients: Greens and Browns

A healthy compost pile needs a balanced mix of nitrogen-rich "greens" and carbon-rich "browns". A good rule of thumb is to aim for a ratio of roughly one part green materials to three parts brown materials by volume.

Green Materials (Nitrogen-Rich):

• Vegetable and fruit scraps
• Coffee grounds and tea bags
• Fresh grass clippings
• Plant trimmings

Brown Materials (Carbon-Rich):

• Dried leaves
• Twigs and small branches
• Shredded cardboard and newspaper
• Sawdust (from untreated wood)
• Straw or hay

What NOT to Compost

To avoid pests and unpleasant odors, steer clear of adding these to your home compost pile:

• Meat, fish, and bones
• Dairy products
• Oily or greasy foods
• Diseased plants
• Weeds that have gone to seed

Step-by-Step: Starting Your Pile

1. Choose a Spot: Pick a level, well-drained spot in your yard. A bit of shade is ideal to prevent the pile from drying out too quickly.
2. Start with a Brown Layer: Begin your pile with a 4-6 inch layer of bulky brown materials like twigs and straw. This helps with aeration at the base.
3. Alternate Layers: Add alternating layers of greens and browns, as if you're making a lasagna. Finish with a top layer of browns to reduce flies.
4. Add Water: Lightly water each layer as you build. The pile should be moist like a wrung-out sponge, but not waterlogged.
5. Turn the Pile: Every week or two, use a pitchfork to turn and mix the pile. This aerates the materials and speeds up decomposition.

Your compost is ready when it's dark, crumbly, and has a rich, earthy smell. This can take anywhere from a few months to a year. Be patient, and your garden will thank you!

5 Organic Ways to Control Aphids

Aphids are small, sap-sucking insects that can quickly multiply and damage your precious plants. Fortunately, you don't need harsh chemical pesticides to keep them in check. Here are five effective and environmentally-friendly methods to manage an aphid infestation.

1. A Strong Spray of Water

For small infestations, the simplest solution is often the best. Use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to blast the aphids off the affected leaves and stems. The force of the water is usually enough to dislodge and kill them. Do this in the morning on a sunny day so the leaves have time to dry, preventing fungal issues. Repeat every few days until they're gone.

2. Insecticidal Soap Spray

You can buy pre-made insecticidal soap or make your own. Mix one or two teaspoons of mild washing up liquid (without bleach or degreasers) into a litre of water in a spray bottle. Thoroughly spray all parts of the plant, including the undersides of leaves where aphids love to hide. The soap breaks down the aphid's protective outer layer, causing them to dehydrate. Do a test spray on a small part of the plant first to ensure it doesn't cause damage.

3. Introduce Beneficial Insects

Nature's pest controllers are your best allies. You can attract or purchase beneficial insects that prey on aphids. The most famous are ladybugs, but lacewing larvae are even more voracious aphid-eaters. You can attract these helpers by planting flowers they love, such as dill, fennel, and marigolds.

4. Neem Oil Solution

Neem oil is a natural horticultural oil derived from the seeds of the neem tree. It acts as a repellent and disrupts the life cycle of aphids. Follow the package instructions to mix neem oil with water and a little mild soap (as an emulsifier). Spray the plants thoroughly, ensuring you cover all surfaces. Avoid spraying during the heat of the day to prevent leaf burn.

5. Companion Planting

Prevention is better than cure. Some plants are known to repel aphids. Plant these "companion plants" near your more susceptible crops. Strong-smelling herbs like chives, onions, and garlic are excellent deterrents. Additionally, plants like nasturtiums can act as a "trap crop," attracting aphids to them and away from your prized vegetables.