Hole Composting – How To Compost Without A Compost Bin: The practice of composting in holes is a fantastic alternative to the conventional techniques of composting, particularly in circumstances in which you do not have the space, the financial resources, or the time to deal with the process.
Hole Composting – How To Compost Without A Compost Bin
Composting in the traditional manner requires you to have a specific area on your land that is typically at least a few feet broad in all directions. Even if you have a small amount of yard space, that might be a significant amount of real estate.
Additionally, there are certain communities or home associations that do not permit the construction of residential compost piles within the municipal lines for a variety of different reasons. You might be concerned about the possibility of attracting hungry animals to your lawn or the odor that could result from utilizing the incorrect materials when you are constructing compost piles.
Composting Benefits
When it comes to having a productive growing season, it is common knowledge that having rich, nutrient-dense soil that is packed with organic matter is the most important factor. This is the case for gardeners who are passionate about their hobby. Making compost and adding it to the soil is the method by which one can get this incredible “black gold” soil.
Compost is simply the organic matter that is formed as a byproduct of the decomposition process that occurs when various materials are broken down. Both the materials and the main purpose are the same regardless of whether you choose to compost using a standard compost pile or a hole composting method.
You are allowing the materials to decompose right there in your garden, raised bed, or any other location on your property that is specifically designated for the purpose of composting when you use holes or trenches. All of those nutrients and organic debris will eventually make their way into the soil below you.
The use of this method allows you to power your plants without the problems that are typically associated with regular composting. Utilizing hole composting will also allow you to compost lesser quantities of materials at a time, which is a significant advantage.
Additionally, there is no need to be concerned about the need to turn the materials, the addition of the appropriate amount of moisture, or even the unpleasant odor of components that are now deteriorating. You can learn more about this topic by clicking HERE. (It is important to note that a traditional compost pile should not have a smell of rotting material either.)
How To Do Hole Composting
When it comes to hole composting, there are a few various approaches and methods to choose from. A few of these approaches will be contingent on the amount of space that is available for digging. It will also depend on the configuration of your garden, the time of year that you intend to perform the composting, and the location of your garden.
Your Climate
Taking into consideration the time of year that you intend to compost is one thing to keep in mind. There are a variety of ways that hole composting can appear, depending on the winter environment in your area.
Composting and working the soil are activities that can be done at any time if you live in an area that experiences moderate winters. The hole composting method, on the other hand, is not going to be feasible for you if you reside in a region where the soil freezes throughout the winter. That is, not immediately at least.
However, the fact that your ground is frozen does not mean that you cannot still have composting opportunities. The most effective thing you can do is collect a few inexpensive buckets that are five gallons in capacity and have lids that snap on. Have one of them stored in your garage or in a spot that is conveniently accessible close to the area where you prepare meals.
While you are in the process of preparing your supper, you can easily dispose of the waste from the kitchen by placing it in the bucket and securing the top. You should take the bucket outdoors once it is completely full. Because of the lower temperatures, it will not smell terrible or decompose as soon as it would otherwise.
After the ground has thawed to the point where it is suitable for digging, you can then empty the buckets that have been pre-filled into the holes.
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The “Dig As You Go” Hole Composting Method
When it comes to hole composting, digging as you go is one of the most straightforward approaches. Once more, make use of your five-gallon buckets to collect your compostable materials, and store them in either your garage or your back porch. In the event that you have a pail full of kitchen waste, egg shells, coffee grounds, and other similar items, it is time to dig that hole.
Find a spot on your land that is convenient for you to dig your hole. A place that you intend to cultivate, whether it be plants or vegetables, in the following spring is an excellent option to consider throughout the offseason. Construct a hole that is approximately one foot in depth and sufficiently wide to enable you to empty the contents of your bucket into it. Make sure there is a gap of around six inches on top for covering with earth.
Next, simply place all of your materials that can be composted into the hole. The final step is to return approximately six inches of soil to the top and then tamp it down. It is hoped that by keeping the things at this depth in the earth, scent-conscious animals will be discouraged from investigating and digging around for a feast. This is because the materials will still be able to get heated enough to break down.
Side Dressing Hole Composting Method
During the busy growing season, you can still have the opportunity to engage in hole composting. While simultaneously providing organic matter to the soil, this method is an excellent approach to gradually nourish your plants that are growing.
You should dig your holes or trenches away from the roots of the plant in order to side-dress plants that are already in existence. Do everything in your can to avoid causing any damage to the roots that have already been developed.
The compostable materials should be buried in the same manner as that described above, with only a tiny amount being added at a time. As the materials decompose, they will contribute to the feeding and powering of the plants so that they can continue to flourish. Additionally, you won’t have to put in any additional effort at all!
Hole Composting Rotation
If you are in the fortunate position of having a vacant space available during the process of rotating your crops from one year to the next, you might want to think about using that location as your hole composting location. You should make advantage of the space for your hole composting, whether it is a whole raised bed or merely an empty growing row that you haven’t planted any plants or seeds in for a few months.
Use the identical strategy that you would use for the “Dig As You Go” method described above; the only difference is that you will be using this one specific spot. One of the most effective ways to compost bigger volumes of materials all at once is to have a place that is dedicated to composting for a whole year.