9.8 How to Make Compost at Home: How to Harvest and Store Grown Food

Composting is an essential practice for those who want to plant at home and become self-sustainable. By composting, you turn organic waste into a rich compost that you can use to nourish your plants. Additionally, composting helps reduce the amount of waste you produce. Here are some tips on how to start composting at home.

Step by Step to Make Compost at Home

First, you will need a compost container. It could be a store-bought compost bin, a plastic drum, or even a corner of your garden. The important thing is that the site is well drained and gets plenty of air.

Next, start adding the organic waste. You can add fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, dried leaves, grass clippings, and other garden waste. However, avoid adding meat, dairy, and pet waste as they can attract pests.

To keep your compost healthy, it is important to maintain a good ratio of green (rich in nitrogen) and brown (rich in carbon) materials. A good rule of thumb is to try to maintain a 2:1 ratio of brown to green materials.

Also, you'll need to turn the compost regularly to make sure it gets plenty of air. This can be done with a spade or garden fork. If the compost starts to smell, it's likely either too wet or not getting enough air.

How to Harvest and Store Cultivated Food

Once your plants start producing fruit, it's time to harvest. Harvesting is a delicate process that requires care not to damage the plant or the fruit. Here are some tips for harvesting your home-grown foods.

First, wait until the fruit is ripe. This can usually be determined by the color, size and texture of the fruit. For example, tomatoes are ready to pick when they are red and firm to the touch.

To harvest the fruit, cut it from the plant with scissors or a sharp knife. Avoid pulling the fruit as this can damage the plant.

Once harvested, it's important to properly store your food to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Most fruits and vegetables should be stored in a cool, dark place. Some foods, such as tomatoes and bananas, produce ethylene gas, which can speed up the ripening of other foods. Therefore, they must be stored separately.

In addition, some foods, such as potatoes and onions, must be cured before being stored. The curing process involves leaving the food in a warm, dry place for a week or two to allow the skin to harden, thereby extending the shelf life of the food.

In short, composting and proper harvesting are essential practices for those who want to plant at home and become self-sustainable. By following these tips, you can turn your organic waste into rich compost and harvest fresh, healthy food right from your garden.