I added my first layer of compost to my bin! My family and I have been composting a bunch of stuff such as orange peels, banana peels, egg shells, coffee grounds, apple cores and much more. After I added my compost, I added a whole other layer of leaves, grass, and soil. Once I collected more compost, I put it on top and then a couple days later I mixed all of it together so it can break down properly. I also add some water (not too much) to the mix every time I add a bucket of compost.
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All these layers serve a purpose- TO FEED THE SOIL. Not only do your old banana peels and apple cores feed the soil, but the layers of leaves and grass also give provide nutrients for the soil. You should water your compost bin frequently or else they will become dry and won't break down anything. Also, cover your compost bin with a lid to lock in the heat which helps the breaking-down process. I used a piece of wood I had already to cover the bin. I will have to turn the mixture 2 days after adding in some of my wastes. This will start breaking down the mixture and it will then be able to use as soil!
For the compost bin, I decided to use an old planter box that I had. It was a bit of a mess at first and broken in some parts, so I had to repair that by nailing extra wood to the base, and also clean it up by removing the weeds that were growing along the sides.
In my garden, I will be planting Black Diamond Watermelon, Japanese Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Strawberries. I decided to go with sprouts instead of seeds because it is a quicker process since I won't have to wait for the seeds to sprout and then grow. I had to dig small holes for each individual plant and place each one inside with care, in order to not break the roots. The first step to building my garden was digging a spot in the ground. I decided to re-purpose some of the bricks I already had at my house, and use them as the perimeter of my garden. After I placed the bricks on the sides, I broke up the soil inside of the area so that my vegetable plants will be able to get their roots inside the soil a lot more smoothly. Since my house was built on what used to be a lemon orchard in 1890, the soil in our neighborhood is very rich and fruitful, which is perfect for growing fruits and vegetables. |