Composting is an amazing way through which you can recycle organic material as well as help to fertilize your soil. You might be wondering if this can be done and if it will have any benefit to your soil if you compost corn cobs and strawberries.
It is important that you do your research before doing so.
Can you compost corn cobs?
You can compost corn cobs as well as the leaves and stems of the corn cobs. It is a great way to recycle such organic material and provide rich nutrients to the soil which can, in turn, help your plants grow better. They also provide oxygen to your soil which makes it quicker to decompose.
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Instead of throwing your corn cobs away, it is much better to put them in your compost pile as it will act as a great nutrient source for your plants. It contains an abundance of carbon which will make your compost richer for the soil.
The only downside to it would be the fact that corn cobs are larger in shape which result takes a much longer time to decompose in your compost pile.
They are fully biodegradable and even though it takes time, they will break down into your soil. You can speed up the process by chopping up your corn cobs. However, there is a big advantage towards leaving the corn cob as a whole.
It provides aeration in your compost pile which in turn helps to increase the process of decomposition in your entire compost pile. Your compost pile will be usable much sooner in that way.
Are corn cobs good for compost?
Corn cobs are great for putting in your compost pile as they can add a lot of nutrition value to your soil. It takes longer to decompose which can be a disadvantage to many, especially if you are looking to add it to your soil quicker.
Therefore, it is suggested that you either use corn cobs as a nutritional value or use them as a tool for aeration. If you are using it to add national value to your compost then you can chop them up to help them degrade much quicker.
You can also keep whole corn cobs at the bottom of your compost pile and use them as a medium to add more oxygen to your pile and help the remaining materials decompose quicker.
Are corn cobs good for plants?
Corn cobs can be great for your plants as it adds great nutrition to your soil. It adds carbon and potassium to your soil and makes it much richer which your plants will love. It can also increase the airflow in your compost pile which helps make the decomposition process faster.
However, since it takes a long time to degrade, it is always better to put them in your compost pile instead of directly giving them to your plants.
Corn cobs themselves do not act as a great fertilizer, but mixed with more organic materials it can definitely help to add more richness to your soil which as a result will help your plants.
How to compost corn cobs?
When composting corn cobs, there are certain steps you must follow so that you can have a compost pile in time.
Preparing your corn cobs:
If you do not follow certain tricks and measures to prepare your corn cobs before putting them inside your compost pile then you might bring all the decomposition to a stop.
The best way to do it is by chopping up your corn cobs so that each piece is around an inch in size.
Adding in your corn cobs:
You must also end up cutting those slices even into smaller pieces. Add in your corn cobs, but do not add too many green parts. The ratio should be four parts brown and one part green.
This is because green parts of the plant contain a higher moisture level which might upset your compost pile.
Adding moisture:
This is a very important step because if your pile does not have enough moisture then it can cause the decomposition to slow down. The most ideal percentage of moisture is around forty percent.
If your pile has too much moisture it can end up causing bacterial or algae growth in your pile which is why you must observe correct moisture levels. Corn cobs can create air pockets in the compost pile which drains away moisture.
Therefore, when you put in your pieces of corn cobs ensure to add some water in it as well so that the moisture level is balanced.
Aftercare:
Ensure to mix everything in well and leave a drainage system for your pile. You should use a gardening shovel once in a while and turn your compost pile over so that the airflow is better and the decomposition is quicker.
How long does it take corn cobs to decompose?
If you just throw your corn cobs away in the bin then it can take up to fifteen years or more for them to decompose in the landfill.
However, if you chop up your corn cobs properly and leave them in your compost bin then it can take only two to three months for them to disintegrate and therefore decompose.
Are corn cobs green or brown compost?
Usually, it is always suggested to leave the brown parts of the plant in the compost pile. This is because the green bits release moisture which can be harmful to your compost.
It is best to follow a ratio of four is to one of the brown and green corn cobs in the compost so that enough moisture is retained without harming the compost.
Can cooked corn cobs be composted?
Yes, you can leave cooked corn cobs to be composted. You can leave them in your compost pile whether it is cooked, raw, or even when it’s spoiled. Just keep in mind that cooked corn cobs may take longer to break down and thus decompose.
Can you compost strawberries?
Yes, you can certainly throw away your strawberries in the compost pile. They break down quickly and easily. You just have to make sure to throw in elements that soak up moisture with your strawberry if they are not rotten because strawberries tend to release moisture.
Fruits like strawberries have quite a high water content which is why you will see they do not last for long. Throwing them in your compost is a great way to make them richer in nutritional value. However, the high water content can also be a throw-off.
In that case, you always must ensure to have proper drainage for your compost as well as throw some browns in there so that the moisture gets sucked.
You should also never put citrus fruits like strawberries in a compost pile where it contains worm bins because it can cause damage to it.
Are strawberries good for compost?
Fruits such as strawberries can be good for composting because it contains a balance of nutrients that add to the composting pile. They contain high nitrogen content which can be great for the soil and therefore act as a good fertilizer for your plant.
However, this should not be used as a single fertilizer because your plant needs other nutrients too.
How long does it take for strawberries to decompose?
Strawberries break down very quickly so it takes less amount of time for them to decompose. They can decompose in a few weeks or even less than a month provided the composting pile is ideal.
If not, it can take up to a few months for any kind of fruit such as strawberries to decompose.
How to compose strawberries?
To compost strawberries, there are necessary tips that you must make sure to follow.
High moisture levels:
You must keep in mind that strawberries, even if spoiled, can have high moisture content. If you are putting too much of it in your compost pile then always ensure to add in leaves or cardboard.
This can soak up the high moisture and keep the moisture level ideal.
Nitrogen Layer:
Since strawberries add a huge amount of nitrogen to your pile it is always ideal to pile them on the nitrogen layer of your compost pile for ideal conditions.
Pesticides:
You must ensure that the strawberries thrown away in your compost pile are not treated with insecticide or pesticide then it might be harmful to the microorganisms that break down the elements in your compost pile.
Final Thoughts:
You can compost strawberries and corn cobs as long as you maintain ideal conditions to avoid disrupting the ongoing decomposition in your compost pile. It is a great way to add rich nutrients to your compost pile as both can end carbon and nutrients to your soil.