Ask the Experts: What are the Benefits of Composting?

Composting is nature’s way of recycling. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), yard waste and food scraps make up over 28% of what we throw away. These materials should be composted instead. If you aren’t familiar with composting, it’s the natural process in which organic materials are broken down to create a nutrient-rich soil additive. So, what are the benefits of composting? Here are a few benefits that may surprise you and influence you to get started today!

What Are the Benefits of Composting?

1. Creates Nutrient-Rich Soil 

Composting increases the quality of your soil by boosting the number of micronutrients and organic materials. When you are targeting specific plants, you can test your compost to determine specific nutrient levels. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, compost slowly releases nutrients over months or years. And it neutralizes both alkaline and acid soils, bringing pH to ideal levels.

2. Reduces Landfill Waste

Food scraps and yard waste make up a significant portion of what we throw away. Composting removes this waste from our landfills and makes good use of it. Further, landfills are one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, which we can reduce by reusing the organic portion of the waste. 

3. Provides Good Soil Structure

Compost helps build aggregates, which are clusters of soil particles that provide optimum soil structure. This type of soil is full of tiny pores that hold moisture, air, and nutrients. Specifically, compost helps sandy soil retain nutrients and water; it loosens clumped particles in silt and clay soil and makes all types of soil easier to work with. 

4. Brings Diverse Life to Soil 

The fungi, bacteria, worms, and insects that compost benefit the soil and the surrounding environment. Some of the bacteria can convert nitrogen in the air into nutrients for your soil. The beneficial worms, insects, and other organisms will keep your soil moving and well-aerated. Learn about our local compost lawn fertilizer that can bring life to your lawn.

5. Protects Our Waters

Compost is a vital factor in creating healthy soil to protect our water resources. It boosts the soil’s ability to retain water and lowers runoff. When you use compost, you also eliminate or reduce the need to use synthetic fertilizers, which pollute water through runoff. 

6. Saves Money

In some cases, “going green” can be expensive. But this isn’t the case with composting. Many homes and businesses are charged based on the weight of the trash they need to discard. You’ll not only save money by reducing your waste but also by having to purchase less of that costly synthetic fertilizer.  

Composting is such an important way to dispose of your yard waste and scraps that’s better for the planet and can transform your lawn’s health. To start composting today, read this guide from the EPA on composting at home that will teach you how to perform backyard and indoor composting. You can also contact us to learn all about our organic compost fertilizer and ask our arborist expert any questions you may still have.