5 Most Common Mistakes in Composting: Even Experienced Gardeners Are Not Insured Against Them

05.12.2023 11:25

Due to mistakes made during the preparation of compost, pathogenic microorganisms and pesticides are “added” to the composition of natural fertilizer, which, you must agree, do not make the final product any healthier.

An expert of the online publication BelNovosti, agronomist, landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh told what should not be done in order not to reduce the value of fertilizer.

1. Do not compost animal waste.

Fat, bones, or meat take a long time to decompose and are also attractive to animals, so you shouldn't try to compost them. However, the above does not apply to eggshells.

2. Separate materials with long and short composting times

Compost
Photo: © Belnovosti

You can dump waste into one compost heap that has more or less the same composting time.

3. Avoid plants with seeds

If you add plants with seeds to your compost, you risk spreading unwanted vegetation throughout your area along with the fertilizer.

4. Beware of harmful ingredients

By components that can potentially harm compost, we mean dishwashing liquid, soap and other household chemicals.

5. Don't forget about compost

To create favorable conditions for composting, you should stir the compost from time to time or at least make holes in it with a stick.

Elena Shimanovskaya Author: Elena Shimanovskaya Editor of Internet resources

Anastasia Kovrizhnykh Expert: Anastasia KovrizhnykhExpert / Belnovosti