Take Advantage of your Kitchen Leftovers, here's How to Make Organic Fertilizer

Use leftovers in the kitchen to make compost. For mothers who like gardening at home, it is necessary to listen to the following method of making compost. Compost is organic material that has undergone a weathering process due to interactions between microorganisms or spoilage bacteria that work in the organic material.

Basically, all organic matter will gradually weather and decompose by itself. The result of weathering of organic matter is commonly known to the public as compost. Compost is one type of organic fertilizer that is widely known in the community. Compost comes from the weathering of organic materials, either intentionally or unintentionally. When fully defined, compost is the remains of organic matter that has undergone weathering, has changed its shape (became like soil), has no odor, and contains elements needed by plants. Compost is also a type of organic fertilizer that comes from the decomposition/decomposition of organic matter carried out by active micro-organisms.

There are various benefits of using compost in plant cultivation. The addition of compost to the growing media has the following benefits and advantages:

1. It is a complete source of macro and micromineral nutrients, although in relatively small amounts.
2. In the long term, compost can improve the pH of acidic soils.
3. Contains humus which is needed for increasing macro and micronutrients in the soil
4. to loosen the ground
5. Increases the water absorption capacity of the soil
6. Increases soil microbial activity
7. Suppress plant growth/disease attack

Along with the development of science and various studies that have been carried out, nowadays more and more varied materials and methods of making compost are known. In fact, composting must also be adjusted to the purpose of composting, so that the ingredients and benefits of compost will be as expected.

How to make compost from household waste

How to make compost from household organic waste can be done individually. However, it would be better if you do it in groups or on a large scale so that the benefits provided are also more and more.

Here are the ingredients, tools, and how to make compost that you can follow:

Materials for Making Compost:

1. Household waste
2. Soil
3. Enough water
4. husk charcoal
5. An activator is a substance that will activate the work of decomposing organisms so that it will accelerate the process of decay and decomposition of organic matter. There are many types of activators on the market, one of which is commonly used is EM4.

Compost Making Equipment:

1. Cutting or chopping tools, such as knives.
2. Places to accommodate trash can use used paint buckets and other used containers.
3. Mixer and gloves.
4. A bucket or container for dissolving the activator.

How to Make Compost Fertilizer: 

1. Chop household organic waste into small pieces (the smaller it is, the faster the composting takes place).
2. Add finished compost or soil or manure or sawdust as inoculants.
3.  Dissolve the activator with water. Pour the compost activator or starter solution (eg EM4) into the compost material. Stir well.
4. Add more activator solution if the mixture is too dry.
5. Put in a composting container and close tightly.
6. Stir once a week for good aeration (airflow) in the container.
7.  During the composting process, the temperature in the container will rise which indicates that the microorganisms are working.
8. Entering week 7-8 composting is complete, and the temperature in the container will return to normal.
9. The finished compost is ready to use. Screening can already be done. Good compost is dark brown in color, has an earthy smell, and is fine-grained.

Household Organic Waste That Can't Be Used as Compost Fertilizer

Not all household organic waste can be used as compost. The reason is, that there are some organic wastes that do not contribute to making compost, namely:

1. Cooking oil
2.  Diseased plants
3.  Metallic wrapping paper
4. Walnuts
5. Glass
6. Metal food and beverage boxes

Well, that was a review on how to make your own compost using household organic waste. Good luck making your own at home.