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Getting the Most Out of Your Compost

After a couple of months taking care of your compost pile, turning over the pile every now and then, warding off insects and pests, and keeping the pile damp, it is only natural (and you should do so) to get the most out of your compost. And this means using the compost wisely and effectively.

You will know the right time to harvest the compost when you no longer recognize the original materials that you used to make the pile. The finished compost should look more soil-like or humus-like. It is dark, loose and smells earthy. When you harvest the compost from your pile, it would be best to spread it out and exposed it to the air. This will further dry the compost and will make is a easier to use.

If you find some bigger chunks still not fully decomposed, throw it back to the next compost pile you’re going to make. One way to get the not fully decomposed material, you can use a screen or wire mesh large enough to let the compost through but small enough to screen the remaining big chunks.

As you probably know by know, compost has a lot of benefits that is why it is often encouraged among gardeners. For starter, compost helps improve the overall soil structure. This means the density and porosity of the soil is improved allowing plants’ roots to grab a hold on the soil better. The soil also becomes more resistant from erosion and runoff. Likewise, adding compost to the soil allows better water retention.

Aside from the soil structure, the macro and micronutrients compost contains provide plants with the needed minerals and nutrients to grow healthy. The soils holds in the nutrients better when compost is added to the soil. Not to mention, compost improves and stabilizes the soil’s acidity levels as well. These are but a few reasons why compost should be used by gardeners.

Let’s go back to your newly harvested compost. After removing those that did not fully decomposed and after curing the finished compost, the next steps would be using what you have been brewing these past few months.

Among the most common usage of compost is as soil amendment. What you do is add the compost to your soil and allow it to draw out the nutrients and other essential minerals for your plants to absorb. You can also spread the compost over the soil before the planting season. You can apply to selected plant surfaces if you have not enough to go around with.

You can also use your compost as mulch. Mulch is a protective layer spread over the soil to help counter the effects of the climate. You might need an ample supply of compost if you use it mulch though. To use it as mulch, you need two to six inches of compost covering the soil surfaces of plants, trees, shrubs, and exposed slopes. As mulch, the compost will help lessen weed growth, prevent erosion, attract earthworms, and help retain water.

Another usage of compost is as potting mix. Mix the compos with sand and soil and voila! You’ll have a great quality potting mix which you can use for your plants. A mix of 1 part sand, 2 parts compost, and 1 to 2 parts soil seems to be the general agreement for using compost as potting mix.

Getting the most out of your compost is only natural. You worked hard creating your compost and you should learn to reap the full benefits.

The Benefits of Making Chocolate

Can you blame people for placing negative thoughts over the process of making chocolate? Through time, people are becoming more and more health conscious. For this reason, chocolates have been one of the targets of criticism for people who aims for the best on their diet plans and on their health.

No matter what the study shows, chocolates remain to be the most favorite treats among kids and adults alike. Scientific research may find bad effects of such on the human system. But don’t you think that it is the amount that you take in which results to such negative connotation?

Chocolates have flavinoids that are prominent in their effect in the improvement of circulation. Aside from this, chocolates also have anti-oxidants features that help the body to get rid of some of the harmful chemicals in the blood. For sure, those who dispute this sweet treat will find ways to claim more harmful and negative connotations than the previously mentioned positive ones.

But as a chocolate lover, you must also be responsible to the amount that you take in. Anything that is too much will have a bad effect on you, even if it’s not a chocolate. So do not give the critics any reason to put down chocolates. Be a responsible chocolate lover.

The critics will always point out the bad effects of the sugar and fat that chocolates have on humans. But the key here is to really moderate your intake of sweets such as chocolates. Did you know that flavinoids can also be found on vegetables, as well as in fruit and tea drinks? For that reason alone, you must trust that this will also work toward your advantage when you eat a piece of chocolate.

Regarding the argument about sugars that chocolates contain, there are useful effects of sugar. Just always remember to take everything moderately. For example, simple sugars can act as carbohydrates. They can replenish the body’s energy for it to function livelier and more efficient.

Some fats also have a good effect on your body. They help to control some hormones in the brain. Such will also cause the body to gain more energy in the process. Again, the key here is to take enough but not too much.

Chocolates also contain caffeine. But it is much smaller portion compared to coffee. So this can still be measured evenly.

Mature people also benefit from eating a piece of chocolates. Ask the women who have suffered depression or PMS. Most of them have resorted to chocolates to give them a light feeling after they have savored a bite. Why is this so? Chocolates contain trytophan. It is a compound that develops to serotonin. And serotonin is a chemical in the brain that helps you fight off stress as well as depression.

This is also may be the reason why chocolates have been a favorite gift to loved ones and friends. You are giving gifts in order to share your love and affection to people. And this can be best measured when you send out things that will make the people that you care about very happy.

Making chocolate and eating it as well will certainly make the recipient of your gift happy and glee. Just tell them to eat your gift in moderation. This way, critics will not have any reason to doubt the benefits of your favorite treat.