Composting: The lazy gardener’s secret weapon

Have you have ever felt guilty about tossing out wilted lettuce or those last few forgotten strawberries? If so, composting is here to ease your conscience while boosting your garden at the same time. It’s the ultimate win-win! Less waste in the trash, more nutrients for your plants, and all you have to do is let nature do its thing.

What is compost?

Compost is essentially nature’s version of recycling. It is what happens when organic waste — like vegetable scraps, leaves, grass clippings, and coffee grounds — breaks down into rich, dark, soil-like material. Think of it as gourmet food for your garden. The best part is how easy it is. Making compost is simply just letting things rot in a controlled way. You don’t need a science degree. You don’t need fancy equipment. You just need a pile of the right stuff, some patience and maybe a mild appreciation for things that smell like forest dirt.

Why should you bother composting?

Besides making you feel like an eco-friendly superhero, composting comes with a bunch of benefits:

• Your plants will thrive  — Compost is like a vitamin boost for your garden. It enriches the soil, improves its texture and provides essential nutrients.

• You will say goodbye to sad soil — If your soil is the equivalent of dry, cracked toast, compost will turn it into a fluffy, moisture-holding sponge. Roots will dig it!

• You will save money — Why spend cash on fancy soil enhancers when you can create your own for free? Your wallet will thank you.

• Landfills will love you — A huge chunk of landfill waste is organic matter that could be composted instead. By composting, you’re reducing waste.

• Worms will become your best friends – Compost attracts earthworms, and guess what? Worms are the major workers of healthy soil. They aerate, break things down and do the dirty work so you don’t have to.

Ready to be a composting pro? Join our class!

Still, feeling a little unsure about the whole rotting things on purpose idea? No worries — we’ve got you covered! Register for our Composting Class on March 22, where we’ll walk you through the process, show you the do’s and don’ts and answer all your burning (or decomposing?) questions. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned composter looking to up your game, this class is for you. The class is held at The Gardens at Brookdale, 3600 Brookdale Ave., from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (registration required).

Find us on Facebook or Instagram “Bibb County GA Cooperative Extension” for more information and links to register, or email susan.fisher@uga.edu.

Susan Fisher is a program assistant with Bibb County Cooperative Extension. She is the champion, teacher, and gardener extraordinaire of the Gardens at Brookdale.