Composting has been something some people have done for years, though lately it has become more mainstream, as people are becoming more aware of their effect on the environment and are trying to live a more sustainable life. Not only does composting lessen the environmental impact of those who do it, but it also provides them with a healthy soil for growing beautiful flowers and healthy vegetables. There are a few different ways to compost, and each method has it's own rules and guidelines to follow, though some composting facts are relevant no matter what method is being utilized.

Compos

1. Temperature

The misconception that the compost pile needs to be hot is not one of the composting facts that are true. Though hotter compost piles do tend to decompose faster, it is not one of the valid composting facts that the pile must be hot. Actually, compost piles can thrive at a temperature at or above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, as long as certain other factors are met, like proper aeration and the proper combination of ingredients.


2. Things Not to Compost

Things that should never be added to compost are meat, bones, and fatty food wastes, anything that was chemically treated, diseased plants, weeds that could potentially spread to the area where the compost is used, or human and pet feces.

3. Best Things to Compost

Straw and wood chips are excellent in a compost pile, as they help it to aerate and add necessary "browns." Kitchen wastes like egg shells, coffee grounds, and tea bags are high in nitrogen, which the compost needs in order to function properly.

4. Finances

It is well known among composting facts that composting saves money. It reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and other forms of store bought soil. 

5. Environmental Advantages

Composting keeps some products out of landfills. When a household composts, they are eliminating waste by creating a product that they will be able to reuse.

6. Worms

Worms are not a necessary part of composting, though they can be beneficial to the process. Vermicomposting is a form of composting that uses redworms in a specialized composting bin. It is a good way to compost food scraps, paper, and yard waste.

7. Compost actually cleans contaminated soil!

Composting absorbs odors and treats both volatile and semi volatile organic compounds. It also stops heavy metals from entering waterways or being absorbed into plants by binding them.

8. Chicken Manure

Chicken manure is not only a great fertilizer for gardens, but it is also a great activator for compost. Activators help to get the process started and help speed it up.

Composting is a simple and effective way to reduce waste and provide healthy soil for a garden. Whether it's a small composting bin created specifically for home use or a large compost pile designed for use on an orchard, making the decision to compost waste is a smart one. It's one of the simplest ways for people to recreate Earth's natural cycle.

Resources:

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/composting/benefits.htm
http://vegweb.com/composting/