Hello, Sahabat Tani!
Have you ever seen vegetable scraps, fruit peels, or dry leaves just thrown away? In fact, all of those can be turned into compost—an organic fertilizer that’s super beneficial for your plants. Compost isn’t just eco-friendly, it also helps reduce household waste and makes soil more fertile.
In this article, we’ll go over how to make compost at home—even if you live in the city.
Why Choose Compost?
1. Environmentally Friendly
You help reduce organic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.
2. More Fertile Soil
Compost improves soil texture, boosts nutrients, and enhances water retention.
3. Save Money
No need to buy expensive fertilizers! Homemade compost is enough to nourish your mini home garden.
Types of Compost
Open Composting
Just pile organic materials on the ground, stir weekly, and let it decompose naturally.
Drum or Bucket Composting
Perfect for those with limited space. Simply put kitchen scraps into a closed bucket or drum.
Vermicomposting (Using Worms)
Use earthworms to speed up decomposition. The result? Ultra-rich compost!
Materials You Can Use
- Vegetable and fruit scraps
- Dry leaves
- Eggshells
- Used coffee grounds or tea leaves
- Grass clippings
- Livestock manure (optional)
How to Make Compost at Home
Step 1: Prepare the Container
You can use an old bucket, plastic drum, or an open space in your backyard.
Step 2: Separate Organic and Non-Organic Waste
Don’t mix in plastic or metal, Sahabat Tani!
Step 3: Mix Materials and Maintain Moisture
Balance dry (leaves, grass) and wet (kitchen scraps) materials. Add a little water if it’s too dry.
Step 4: Stir Regularly
Every 3–5 days, stir the compost to keep it aerated and prevent bad odors.
Step 5: Harvest Your Compost!
It should be dark brown and smell like forest soil. Check after 1 to 2 months.
Tips for Sahabat Tani
- Avoid oily food scraps or meat.
- Add EM4 or a bioactivator to speed up the process.
- If it smells bad, add dry materials like sawdust or dry leaves.
Final Thoughts
Making your own compost is easy, inexpensive, and packed with benefits. Sahabat Tani, you’re not only feeding your plants—you’re also helping the planet!