Easy and Quick, Brown and Green

Easy and Quick, Brown and Green

Today I am going to talk about Composting Your Way To A More Bountiful Garden. Watch out for mention of the Browns and the Greens. Read on...

Sustainable Gardening with Wire Mesh

In the realm of sustainable gardening and waste management, finding practical solutions that balance durability and affordability is paramount. Enter wire mesh (Tada!!) – a versatile material that has garnered attention for its potential in creating composting enclosures. Whether you're a seasoned gardener looking to enhance soil health or a homeowner interested in reducing organic waste, wire mesh offers a compelling solution you might want to consider.

Choosing the Right Wire Mesh

Two popular options stand out for constructing compost bins: chicken wire and hardware cloth. Each wire mesh type has distinct characteristics catering to different needs and preferences.

Chicken Wire: Known for its classic hexagonal woven pattern with 1” openings, chicken wire offers a cost-effective solution for building compost enclosures. Its lightweight nature makes it easy to manipulate and shape into desired configurations. However, while chicken wire is suitable for containing compost materials, it may lack the durability needed for long-term use, particularly in areas with harsh weather conditions or frequent disturbances.

Hardware Cloth: On the other hand, hardware cloth presents a more robust alternative. Featuring a tight welded wire, typically the openings are ¼-½”, hardware cloth offers enhanced strength and durability compared to chicken wire. This makes it well-suited for constructing sturdy compost bins that can withstand the rigors of outdoor environments. While hardware cloth may come at a slightly higher cost than chicken wire, its longevity and reliability justify the investment for many gardeners and homeowners.

Constructing Your Compost Bin

When selecting wire mesh for a composting enclosure, it's essential to consider factors such as size, shape, and ventilation. A cylindrical or rectangular design allows efficient composting and easy access to the finished product. Additionally, incorporating adequate ventilation ensures proper airflow and decomposition within the bin.

Once you've chosen the appropriate wire mesh for your composting needs, constructing the enclosure is straightforward. Begin by measuring and cutting the mesh to the desired dimensions, leaving ample room for compost materials to accumulate. You can cut panels from the wire and zip-tie them together or make a circle with the mesh and zip-tie the two ends.

Composting Materials

As you fill the compost bin with kitchen scraps, garden waste, and other organic materials, periodically turn the contents to promote aeration and accelerate decomposition. Over time, the organic matter will break down into nutrient-rich compost, ready to be incorporated into your garden soil or used as a natural fertilizer.

Composting is a natural process that transforms organic materials into nutrient-rich soil amendments. While there are specific guidelines to ensure a healthy compost pile, a wide variety of materials can be composted. Here's a comprehensive list of what you can compost:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps: Including peels, cores, rinds, and seeds.
• Coffee grounds and filters: Used coffee grounds are an excellent nitrogen source.
• Tea leaves and tea bags: Ensure tea bags are made of compostable materials.
• Eggshells: Crushed eggshells add calcium to the compost pile.
• Yard waste: Grass clippings, leaves, weeds (without seeds), and small branches.
• Plant trimmings: Prune flowers and foliage from your garden.
• Shredded paper: Newspaper, cardboard, paper towels, and napkins (avoid glossy or colored paper).
• Wood chips and sawdust: Untreated wood materials can be composted in moderation.
• Straw and hay: Often used as animal bedding, straw and hay can also be composted.
• Nutshells: Including peanut shells, walnut shells, and others.
• Seaweed and kelp: Excellent sources of minerals and nutrients for compost.
• Old potting soil: Used potting mix can be revitalized through composting.
• Hair and fur: Human and pet hair, as well as fur clippings, can be composted.
• Fireplace ashes: Wood ash adds minerals and can help balance pH levels in the compost.
• Dryer lint: From natural fibers such as cotton and wool.
• Paper towels and napkins: Used paper towels and napkins can be composted if they are chemical-free.
• Pet waste (from herbivores only): Rabbit droppings, guinea pig bedding, and other herbivore waste can be composted, but avoid carnivore or omnivore waste due to potential pathogens.
• Houseplant trimmings: Trimmed leaves and stems from indoor plants.
• Stale bread and grains: Moldy or stale bread, pasta, rice, and other grains can be composted.
• Spent flowers: Wilted flowers and floral arrangements.

While this list covers many common compostable materials, it's essential to avoid composting certain items, such as meat, dairy, oils, fats, diseased plants, and materials treated with pesticides or chemicals. Properly balancing carbon-rich (browns) and nitrogen-rich (greens) materials is critical to successful composting. Experimenting with different materials and observing how they break down can help you fine-tune your composting process and produce nutrient-rich compost for your garden.

Conclusion

In conclusion, wire mesh offers a practical and cost-effective solution for creating composting enclosures that promote sustainable gardening practices and reduce organic waste. Whether you opt for the affordability of chicken wire or the durability of hardware cloth, harnessing the power of wire mesh opens up a world of possibilities for enriching your garden and minimizing your environmental footprint.

Though we are still buried in snow in New Hampshire, my daughter in Texas wrote today to say that it is 86 degrees, and the peach tree is blooming! Either way, it’s time to plan for Spring planting and composting. Here’s a great place to start.

I’d love to hear your clever ideas for composting your organic waste. And share pictures!

My warmest regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (Umm, that’d be just over thirteen decades owned and run by our family!)