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IT is said that when one is bored, a gulp of a fiery stuff, or a waltz in the garden may help to uplift the spirit at least for the day.  This is analogous to a plant lover’s space being loaded with piles of plant waste that are also seen as treasures awaiting conversion into something of great value.

Then there are kitchen wastes which are usually not an insignificant quantity in every home.  Of course the variety of wastes from kitchens are normally of a very wide range, and this may include leftovers of fish, chicken or beef dishes, or they may be from vegetable and root crops.

Then there are the less often encountered broken crockeries, mugs, kettles, jugs or bottles, among others which are normally not used in composting.

Prior to the commencement of composting, it is necessary to separate the compostables such as the organically based materials, and the non-compostable components such as the hard inorganic stuffs including broken mugs, plastic pieces, bottles, clay flower pots,  etc.  

With that, the usable plant-friendly portion may be retained to be gainfully converted into compost to enrich any planting exercise.

So, what is a compost?  Simply put, it is a decomposed organic matter that is derived from plant or animal parts that are subsequently used to improve the fertility and friability of the cultivation medium.

Components from plants may be easily obtained after trimming sessions and these may include leaves, rotten fruits, stems or small branches or clumps of roots.  

Thick stems or even small trunks may also be used to supply the input for the creation of a compost heap especially if they have undergone a chopping process or through a shredding or chipping machine.

From animal parts such as fish, chicken or portions of goat or cow, the process to decompose them is basically the same except that there may be a lot of rock-hard bones and spikey fish bones from the kitchen.

These have to be dealt with carefully as fish bones may prick and hurt tender skins of the plant lover.  It is therefore advisable to wear a pair of gloves when preparing a compost heap or during the occasions when turning them over is necessary.

A period of about 2-3 months is usually required to complete the preparation of a heap of compost.  The final separation and removal of fish bones and other hard stuffs may then carried out and the compost may at last be ready for use.

Such a windfall does not come by every day.  So, for those in the know, they will not allow such opportunities to slip by.  For those with limited spaces, a big discarded paint bucket may suit the purpose well.  

Just ensure there are sufficient drainage and aeration holes at the bottom and the sides to encourage a more even and complete decomposition.  

The use of a discarded plastic paint buckets of 18 litre capacity may suit well the purpose of composting a small quantity of materials.  Regular turning over of the organic matter may yield a finer and more evenly-sized particles that can be neatly applied into soils around plants including both the potted ones and those grown on the ground.

Such finer grades of compost may certainly help in the creation of not only more attractive plants but also an image of the planting zone that is more immaculate and tidy.

Under normal circumstances, composts are applied directly into the soil.  They are usually mixed in thoroughly during the pre-planting stage to ensure that sufficient fertility is available to each and every root that issues from the base of the plant.

Composts are considered to be generally sterile in gardening.  As they are harmless and non-toxic, they will not even harm an ant.  

Another positive is that they may even be slightly aromatic considering that the inputs in the creation of such composts are usually comprised partly of animal products which have a tendency to emit a foul smell if left in the open.  

With composts, it is safe even to use hands – both gloved and ungloved - to handle them as they are not only harmless but are environmentally friendly.  This is why composting is also part of the much-hyped 3Rs, which is ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’.  

Besides, it is also a wise idea to carry out self-made composts without any cost as each packet of a good compost of about 1 kg may cost about RM10.00 when sold at the agricultural supplier.  

Thus, reducing wastage and going composting is a great way to save a few bucks that can be used to buy new gardening tools.

As everyone knows, a piece of animal product such as discarded chicken necks and butts, fish fins, heads and tails, and animal by-products such as entrails, may emit a very foul and stinky smell once they are left to decompose outside.

But composts bring the opposite into the garden.  

They tend to release a certain level of aromatic fragrance into the surroundings which is why gardens have always been favourite places for tired minds and bodies to have a good rest and to have a kupi2 or a bottle or two of some fiery stuffs.

So, jom kupi2 dulu bah!!