If you have a lot of leftover corn and still feel bad about throwing it away, you can compost it instead. I mean, why waste corn when it can be useful to you.
You can use the compost pile of corn to enrich the stalks and leaves of plants; there are also advantages of using corn compost compared to other compost materials.
If you want to know how to compost corn and how long this process takes, then you are in the right place. We will also cover additional details like what to put in compost and what not to.
Can You Compost Corn Cobs?
After harvesting your corn, you may notice that some cobs have fallen off, and to throw those cobs will be such a shame.
You can compose corn cobs, and it is a good way to utilize valuable corn cobs instead of disposing of them.
Corn cobs are odorless and will decompose without attracting pests and other insects that may want to feed on them; this is because corn cons are not very desirable by these insects. Rotten corn cobs can also be decomposed.
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How To Compost Corn Plant
Composting corn plant is quite easy. Although it may take longer than others to decompose, it is worth the time.
You can compost your corn in a closed frame, or you can do it in an open pule. Before composting corn cobs, you should take note of the following.
Ratio Recipe
The ratio of dried plant parts to fresh plant parts should be 4:1. This ratio is important to prevent your corn from being soggy; if your compost pile becomes soggy, it will give out a foul odor.
So to prevent this nasty odor keep the ratio stable because the greener plant parts you add, the more moisture your compost pile gains. The ideal moisture content of your compost pile should be 40%
Size of the Material
The size of the material is very important in the decomposition process. The bigger the size of your corn cobs, the longer it takes to decompose, while the smaller the size of your corn cobs, the faster it decomposes.
Now that the basics on composting corn cobs have been covered let’s get into actually composting corn cobs. For this process, you will need the following
- A sharp knife.
- A chopping board
- Gloves
- Garbage bag or a compost pile
- Shovel
Step one
Using your sharp knife and chopping board, cut the corn cobs into small pieces to facilitate the decomposition.
Step two
Mix the corn cobs with other vegetable waste like potato peels, corn husks, or carrot peels.
Step three
Place the mixture in a compost pile. If you don’t have one, use a garbage bag and make holes for ventilation.
Step four
Using a shovel, add some soil containing earthworms, insects, and other plant and animal waste to the mixture. Use the shovel to mix them, and water the mixture if it is dry. This will help keep the insects and bugs alive.
Step five
Turn the pile every two weeks using a shovel. You can continue adding more food waste to the mixture, and then after some time, the corn cobs will completely decompose, releasing silica and potash in the process.
How Long Does it Take Corn Cobs to Decompose?
Corn cobs decompose in two different ways: landfills and compost bins. It takes about 18 years for corn cobs to decompose on landfills completely, and this is because landfill contains 50% carbon dioxide and 50% methane. This leads to anaerobic decomposition, which is relatively slower.
It takes about two months for your corn cobs to decompose if you use a compost bin completely.
This is because a compost bin is ventilated. Using a compost bin is the best option as it is environmentally friendly and saves a lot of space.
Does Corn Husk Break Down in Compost?
Corn husks are the outermost layer of developing corn; their job is to protect the corn. Corn husks can be green (fresh) or brown (dried).
If you also have corn husk to decompose, you should know that you can also add them to your corn cons as plant waste. It will equally decompose with the corn cobs. These corn husks can also be used to feed farm animals.
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Are Corn Cobs Good For the Garden?
There are a lot of benefits of using corn cobs in your garden. They add bulk to soil that locks nutrients as they are a good source of carbon, silica, and potash. Corn cobs trap air within themselves; this helps aerate the soil when needed.
Corn cobs can serve you for a long time since they take a long time to decompose. They have a unique bulkiness as they weigh more than other compost piles. This enables your compost pile to gain a lot of weight.
What Should You Not Put in The Compost Pile
Maybe the term “food waste” is not entirely specific. It is okay to add plant waste to a compost pile. But you should not add meat, fish, dairy products, or rice to your compost pile.
This is because dairy products, meat, and fish attract pests and insects to your compost pile. On the other hand, rice is a breeding ground for different bacteria. Corn is perfect for compost as it does not attract pests or breed bacteria.
Do Worms Eat Corn Cobs?
Worms are known for their destructive nature towards plants. They feed on pumpkin leaves, some fruits, and corn cobs, just as you guessed.
Worms will feed on leftover corn cobs destroying them in the process. Although they are beneficial to your compost pile as they help in aeration.
Conclusion
If you are done harvesting corns and have some leftovers, you should know that there is a way to use these leftovers.
You can make compost out of corn cobs; this compost will add nutrients to your garden, flower bed, or farm.
To make compost corn cobs, mix them in the right ratio, cut them up in a suitable size, and turn them with a shovel after two weeks.
Do not add meat, fish, dairy product, or rice to your compost pile as they attract the pest and rear bacteria. With this article, you should use your leftover corn cobs.
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We trust this article helped you know If You Can Compost Corn Cobs. You may also want to check out How to Grow Yellow Daisies in Your Garden.
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