A Zero Waste Culture compost

When we teach gardening classes or talk to home gardeners about how to keep their garden happy and healthy the conversation inevitably turns time and time again to the importance soil life, and thusly of compost. Not the bagged “composted stuff” that home depot sells, but real living organic matter full of beneficial soil microorganisms, worms, and biodiversity that brings your soil to life. They say there are more living organisms in a tablespoon of soil than there are stars in our galaxy! Imagine how complex a system like that is, and on such a microscopic scale, in your own backyard! And the most beautiful thing about it is that its made out of waste (some people call it garbage but that seems too derogatory a term for such valuable material). Home composting groups have become more popular over time as more and more people realize how important it is to divert organic material out of the mainstream waste stream and make use of it instead. A Zero Waste Culture is one such organization located in Key Biscayne committed to composting home food waste, and hundreds of families have joined in the efforts of composting at Bill Baggs State Park.

We recommend at least 10 pounds of living compost be added to a 4 x 8 foot raised bed as a way to activate the biological activity in your soil during fall planting. Compost isn’t forever and is used by your plants and oxidizes into the atmosphere so if you have continued access to finished compost use it to top dress your garden once its planted throughout the season. And if you don't have continued access to compost, then we highly recommend you consider starting a compost pile at home to fix that problem! Composting is a critical step in your veggie gardening process and in increasing the environmental sustainability of your home.