What should you do with all that green waste? Every garden owner knows this problem, because waste is generated in the garden at any time of the year. Leaves, fallen fruit, fallen branches, withered flowers, lawn cuttings and tree and shrub cuttings must be disposed of. What is allowed on the compost? What belongs in the organic waste? What types of waste can still do a good job in the garden? We give the answers.
Composting
If you have enough space, you should definitely create a compost. Composting is the ideal way to get around
- tidy up the garden and free from vegetable waste
- enable the recycling of organic raw materials
- create a supply of nutrient-rich humus
Tip: With composting you are making a contribution to protecting the environment. With the humus that you produce yourself, you can almost do without peat. Moors have to be drained for the removal of peat, which destroys valuable habitats. Composting is also very cost-effective, because you have the fertilizer and soil improver in the garden and do not have to buy it.
Garden waste such as:
- Shrub pruning
- withered flowers
- Plant remains
- Lawn clippings
- Pruning
- Vegetable waste
- Fruit waste
- leaves
- Acorns, chestnuts
- nuts
- pinecone
- shredded wood waste
- vegetable kitchen waste
Note: Shells of
Tropical fruits can be composted, but they rot much more slowly when treated with pesticides and wax. It is important to ensure a good mix with other organic materials.Not suitable for compost
Leftover meat
They attract rats, stray animals and vermin.
Parts of diseased plants
Certain plant diseases can be transmitted to other plants through the compost. Burn the plant parts or dispose of them in the organic waste.
ash
The ashes of wood and coal contain a high concentration of heavy metals after combustion. The heavy metals would get into the garden soil and the grown vegetables via the compost.
Manure
Manure contains a high concentration of nutrients, which can lead to overfertilization and damage to your plants.
Are weeds allowed on the compost?
Garden owners are repeatedly faced with the question of whether weeds belong in the compost or not. Weed seeds often only rot in high heat. Whether the required temperatures can build up in your compost depends, among other things, on the altitude. The desired heat is only created in sufficiently high compost heaps. It is important to achieve the optimal compost quality by frequent repositioning. Pre-composters that destroy the weed seeds are suitable.
Simply covering the compost can significantly reduce weed spread. Most of the time, weeds spread through the flight of seeds onto the uncovered compost. They are then applied to the beds with excellent humus and find the best
Conditions for growth.Three alternatives for green waste
Green cuttings, i.e. branches, twigs, shrub cuttings, pine cones, chestnuts and acorns, have a lot of potential.
Mulch
Not only can you compost it, it makes a great mulch. To do this, chop up the green cuttings and distribute them generously on your beds. It improves the soil quality and keeps the weeds away.
Raised bed
Green cuttings can be used to create raised beds. Raised beds are made up of green cuttings, shredded material, leaves, compost and soil.
decoration
How often have you bought twigs or pine cones for the design of flower arrangements, wreaths and floristic decorations in the craft trade? Pay attention to decorative twigs, cones and branch discs with the resulting green cuttings. You can find the best handicraft material in your own garden!
Attention windfalls!
Windfall cannot be avoided. Try to pick it up off the floor quickly. The longer it lies on the ground, the more pests are attracted.
Severely damaged fruits can be composted. However, windfalls should be mixed well with other plant residues. The fruit of sick trees must not be put on the compost, it belongs in the organic waste bin. If large quantities need to be disposed of, you can bury the windfalls in the garden. Especially future potato beds will benefit from the additional nutrient supply. Be sure to bury the windfalls deep enough that wildlife will not find it.
Tip: If you have more windfalls in your garden than you can process into juices and jams yourself, you can support the zoos in the region. Ask for! Many animals prefer to eat your fall apples.
Acorns and chestnuts
If you have large oak or chestnut trees on your property, you can collect the fruit and offer it to the forester. They are fed to the wild animals or even used to grow new plants. Do children live in your household? Then the collection is even better. Various conservation organizations organize competitions for children to collect the precious fruits and drop off points in your area every year.
Tip: You don't have to give up all the chestnuts and acorns, a handful should go for that
Handicrafts of the popular little men are left over!Compost bin
If you don't have space for composting, you can dispose of garden waste in the organic waste bin. However, only normal household quantities are provided for the organic waste bin. Twigs and branches should be chopped up and placed in the organic waste bin.
What to do with large quantities?
In most cities and municipalities, collections of tree and shrub cuttings are also held in spring and autumn. You can dispose of garden waste at a recycling center near you. Ask your local authority. For larger amounts of waste, it is possible to order green waste containers from the regional waste disposal company. Regulations regarding the size and length of branches also apply to disposal in containers.
Burn garden waste?
Often, burning branches and twigs appears to be the easiest, fastest and cheapest solution. But is it also allowed? In some regions, exceptions apply at certain times and in compliance with strict regulations, which allow the burning of garden waste on one's own property. The best thing to do is to ask the public order office in your community. If a permit is available, the protection of the neighbors must be ensured in addition to fire safety. Garden waste may only be burned on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. when there is no wind.
In most regions there are sufficient disposal facilities and the burning of garden waste is prohibited. Anyone who lights a garden fire in spite of a ban can expect high fines. It is an administrative offense that is punished with fines.
Disposal in the countryside?
It is not allowed to dispose of garden waste in the open countryside or in the forest. The waste from your garden is capable of severely affecting the natural ecosystem. The spreading of the waste in the countryside is an administrative offense that is punished with four-digit fines.
Never put everything away!
Even if you want a tidy, tidy garden, keep the animals in mind! Create winter quarters for hedgehogs and co. From branches, twigs and leaves. Deadwood corners are important Habitats for insects and small organisms that put an end to pests such as aphids and fungi can do.
