From the page: Cork stoppers hold entire worlds
Idea 3
Fertilizer and soil aeration
Cork is pure plant tissue, full of suberin, a natural substance that makes it resistant to decomposition — that's why it breaks down slowly, but it does break down. In composting, it acts as a "brown" material, meaning rich in carbon, balancing wet food scraps. European home compost bins have been receiving crumbled stoppers for a long time precisely for this role.
What you need
- natural stoppers (no plastic — test: real cork scratches with a fingernail and doesn't melt)
- grater, old blender or knife
- compost bin or garden bed
How to make it
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1
Confirm they are 100% natural stoppers by crushing a small piece — synthetic cork is plastic and shouldn't go into the soil.
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2
Grind them well; the smaller the piece, the faster nature works.
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3
Spread a thin layer on the compost or directly on the garden bed, mixing it with the soil.
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4
Water lightly to activate the microorganisms that will decompose the material.
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5
In a few months the material will be dark and crumbling — a sign it has become fertilizer.
Finishing touches
also use it as bed covering; while it decomposes, it protects the soil from the sun and retains moisture.
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