profile

Lettuce Grow Something

Turn Waste into Garden Gold: Composting Tips Inside!

Published almost 2 years ago • 2 min read

Hi Garden Friend,

I hope this email finds you well and thriving. As the days get warmer and the garden blooms, I wanted to share some thoughts on a topic close to my heart: composting. It's amazing how kitchen scraps and yard waste can transform into nutrient-rich soil, feeding our plants and reducing waste.

Whether you're a seasoned composter or just getting started, there's always something new to learn and love about this eco-friendly practice. Let's dig in and discover the magic of turning waste into gold!

Quick links about composting if you are in a rush 😉

Why Compost?

Composting offers a ton of benefits for both you and the environment. Here are just a few:

  • Reduces landfill waste: A large portion of landfill waste comes from food scraps. Composting diverts this waste from landfills, where it decomposes and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
  • Creates nutrient-rich soil: Compost is packed with essential nutrients that plants need to thrive. Amending your soil with compost helps retain moisture, improves drainage, and feeds beneficial soil microbes.
  • Promotes a healthy ecosystem: A healthy compost pile is teeming with beneficial organisms like worms, bacteria, and fungi. These organisms break down organic matter and create a nutrient-rich environment that promotes healthy plant growth.

Getting Started with Composting

Composting is easier than you might think! Here's a basic rundown to get you started:

  1. Set Up Your Bin: You can purchase a compost bin or build your own using wood, wire mesh, or even recycled plastic bins. The key is to ensure proper aeration, so ventilation holes are important. I recommend open bottom bins that actually touch the ground vs. the tumblers.
  2. Know What to Add: Compost thrives on a balance of "greens" (nitrogen-rich materials) and "browns" (carbon-rich materials). Kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells are excellent greens. For browns, you can add yard trimmings, shredded leaves, and cardboard. Grab my FREE compost chart HERE​
  3. Maintain the Balance: Aim for a ratio of 2-3 parts browns to 1 part greens. You can also add a bulking agent like wood chips or straw to improve aeration.
  4. Let it decompose: Mix your compost pile regularly to ensure proper aeration and decomposition. Depending on your climate and the size of your pile, it can take anywhere from a few months to a year for your compost to mature.

Ready to Start Composting?

I've included some helpful resources below to get you started on your composting journey:

Missed Last Weeks Newsletter? What to Grow in the June Garden​

Happy Composting!

NEW on the BLOG this week:

Grow crisp cucumbers in raised beds – it’s easier than you think!

Learn everything you need to know about planting flowers in raised beds!

⭐Garden DEALS this week⭐

​Vego Garden Raised Beds Father's Day Sale

Save up to 30% off your purchase. These are fantastic beds for the garden DIY'er. No major tools necessary, plus they are great quality and last longer than wooden beds.

Happy composting!

Crystal Jarvis

​www.lettucegrowsomething.com​

$12.00

Garden Planner and Journal

Plan your most organized and productive garden yet with this 92-page printable Garden Journal & Planner 🌱 From sketching... Read more
​

$10.00

Central Texas Monthly Planting Guide

The Central Texas Monthly Planting Guide will help show you what to plant each month along with some helpful tips. Each... Read more
​

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Lettuce Grow Something

by Crystal Jarvis

Lettuce help you grow your vegetable garden to it's full potential. Through garden education, garden coaching and raised bed garden design we help you have a successful garden growing what you love!

Read more from Lettuce Grow Something

Hi Garden Friend! One thing I’ve learned after years of installing and planting gardens is that vegetables grow better when flowers are part of the plan. Flowers attract pollinators, bring beneficial insects into the garden, and honestly just make the whole space more enjoyable to spend time in. And let’s be honest, when the vegetable garden isn’t producing as well as we’d like, the flowers are usually still thriving. If you're thinking about adding more flowers to your garden this year, here...

8 days ago • 2 min read

Hi Garden Friend! One thing I’ve learned after installing quite a few raised bed gardens over the years is this: What you put inside the beds matters just as much as the beds themselves. The right soil mix can mean stronger plants, bigger harvests, and a garden that’s much easier to maintain. The wrong mix can make growing vegetables a lot harder than it needs to be. So today I’m sharing a few helpful guides to make filling your raised beds simple. 🌱 Start With the Right Soil Mix Before you...

15 days ago • 1 min read

Hi Garden Friend! Raised beds are one of the easiest ways to grow a productive vegetable garden… but I see the same mistakes happen over and over again. And the frustrating part? Most of them are completely avoidable once you know what to look for. Here are 5 raised bed mistakes I see all the time: Using wood that’s too thinIt’s tempting to save money on lumber, but thin boards often warp, rot, or break much faster than thicker boards. Growing vegetables in too much shadeMost vegetables need...

22 days ago • 1 min read