The Alcoholic Beverage That'll Kickstart A Killer Compost For The Garden
Composting is an eco-friendly, though time-consuming way to recycle organic waste and create nutrient-rich soil to feed your plants. But, did you know that if you have leftover wine that's past its prime and can't find any other use for it, you might want to consider pouring it on the pile? While traditional composting methods rely on a combination of kitchen scraps, yard waste, and a heap of patience, using wine as a kick starter for compost speeds up the decomposition of the organic materials, which results in a more efficient and nutrient-rich compost pile.
While wine can be beneficial as a compost activator, adding too much of it can have adverse effects. Excessive wine can overwhelm the existing beneficial bacteria that are already working to break down the organic materials in the pile. Additionally, adding too much wine can also lead to an excess of moisture in the compost pile. Too much moisture creates a waterlogged environment that limits the flow of oxygen, which promotes anaerobic conditions and can even stop the composting process altogether.
How to use wine to kick start your compost
To kick-start your compost pile with wine, you'll need kitchen scraps, like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods, because they'll also slow down the composting process, plus, they're known to attract all sorts of uninvited pests. Next, collect some dried yard waste, like leaves and twigs, which will help keep the compost pile in balance and prevent it from getting too wet. Finally, you'll need wine. Red wine, in particular, is known to get along really well with beneficial bacteria.
Layer your kitchen scraps and dried yard waste in a compost bin or designated area, and aim for a one-to-one ratio of brown (yard waste) to green (kitchen scraps) materials to start off your perfect composting pile. Once you've added a few layers, sprinkle some wine over the mixture, being careful to not drench it. Repeat the layering process and continue adding a little wine each time. Remember to keep the compost pile moist, like a wrung-out sponge. This encourages the pile to break down. Don't forget to turn your compost every couple of weeks to help keep it aerated, which helps it to break down faster.
Why wine works
Wine is an effective compost activator due to its high sugar content and acidic nature. The sugars in wine provide a food source for the beneficial microorganisms that are responsible for breaking down all that organic matter into a fermented heap. Additionally, the acidity in wine helps create a supportive environment for these microorganisms, while also curbing funky odors and deterring unwanted pests. The presence of yeast can significantly boost composting by adding liquid and nitrogen to the compost pile.
As a slight deviation, if you don't have wine on hand, you can always opt for using beer. Like wine, beer contains sugars, acids, and yeast that help speed up the composting process. However, similar to using wine, it should be applied in moderation to avoid any negative impacts on the compost pile. While beer and wine can be beneficial for composting, it's best to avoid adding hard alcohol like vodka, whiskey, or rum to the compost. Hard alcohol contains high alcohol concentrations, which can negatively affect the composting process.