Environmental Networking Platform for Children and Youth by SAMSUNG E&A
Stay connected with Eco-generation :
| Share 
| 
- Home >
- Our Actions >
- Ambassador report
3
Comments
Composting The Gardening Way |
|---|
|
by Makomborero Muzunde | 23-02-2021 03:30
|
|
I remember when I was in primary school, behind my grade three classroom there was a huge pile of waste. In mind my little mind I asked my self questions that I could not find answer. Why do people water this pile of waste? Why people put that waste into gardens and our little school orchard. Little did I know that we were being taught composting. Composting is a biological process of decomposing organic waste which can sped up by managing temperature, oxygen and moisture content.
Covid-19 pandemic and the lock downs have really changed our lifestyles aeound the world. People now spend most of the times in their homes so many people have started to practice backyard gardening. Many people are now growing vegetables for their household consumption, rather than buying from the vegetable markets. Much grown vegetables around Zimbabwe during this pandemic are garlic, onions, peppers and tomatoes, since the demand for them had increased thus being scarce and expensive. So the knowledge of composting is a necessity especially in this era to help people in their gardening. Composting is a process so it needs one to devote for time, energy and materials. With the knowledge I gained in my primary education in Environment science studies, I am able to make a good compost. The compostingbasics, one needs to chop the materials to small sizes around 2 centimetres for rapid composting, mixing equal volumes of carbon rich dry brown and nitrogen-rich green plant materials, and keeping the compost moist. For aeration the pile needs to be turned after three days, and you have to note that a hot pile composts quickly while a cool pile takes much longer. We compost organic materials with exception of bones, meat, manure or human waste. For composting one can consult their local agricultural expert for advice. The rich, earthy and sweet smelling humus is beneficial as it reduces the use of manufactured fertilisers. The humus give the same nutrients to plants that is provided by the fertilisers and it is cheaper to produce. Composting helps in the soil pH alteration to the ideal pH level for growing vegetables and most fruit. Furthermore, the soil structure is improved when compost is added to enhance nutrient and moisture holding capacity of the soil. At this time when the refuse collectors in Zimbabwe are reluctant, compost is beneficial in managing and recycling organic waste. Composting is the way to do gardening especially in this lockdown period.
FURTHER READING https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/CIS/CIS1179.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjz_LiuhP3uAhXF16QKHZdECvcQFjAeegQIPhAC&usg=AOvVaw0OK7SKfvHA0VFZq7eLkXZT Earth Easy, Online source, https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/composting/ |
|
|
|
|
|
Previous : Having a water conservation cu...
3 Comments
Hello Makomborero!
It's your SJ mentor.
Warm greetings from Korea!
Thank you for introducing us to compost organic waste.
It is surprising that people grow gardens and grow vegetables themselves due to COVID-19.
Unfortunately, in Korea, each house does not have a garden, so we cannot grow and eat vegetables ourselves.
As organic matter composts, methane gas generation occurs and stinks, and I wonder how it was solved.
This natural compost is a good nutrient for plants, so it would be ideal if you use it actively.
Green cheers!
Best regards,
SJ mentor.
Posted 02-03-2021 10:34
Hello Makomborero,
this is your mentor WooJoo.
Warm greetings from South Korea!
Thank you for sharing such a helpful report about composting.
It is amazing that you know much about how to make a good compost!
Sincerely, I never had the chance to make a garden or plant any plant in soil,
but I think these methods are so beneficial in enriching the soil with nutrients and water.
Soil acidification, degradation are all ongoing concerns worldwide due to massive agriculture industry and climate changes, or the accumulation of toxic chemicals.
Agricultural technologies should be preserved, and advanced so that we can recover the damaged soil, and maintain it sustainable.
Keep writing
Regards,
WooJoo
Posted 25-02-2021 22:09
Hello Makomborero ,
Thanks for Sharing such an informative Report .
Keep Sharing
warm Regards ,
Shobha
Posted 23-02-2021 19:36