How to Compost; Build a Perfect Compost Pile
A few weeks ago my post 25 Things You CAN Compost You Never Thought About, drew in some great comments, from current composters to newbies looking to learn, so today I want to start at the beginning of starting a compost.
Compost is decomposed organic material, often materials we use daily. While composting may seem complicated, it’s really a very simple and natural process that continuously occurs in nature, often without any assistance from humans.
So what is all the compost talk about? It’s great for the gardener, the eco-friendly and the environmentally responsible. Composting can reduce the amount of waste that would otherwise be tossed into the trash headed to a landfill, and offers great soil for the garden.
Let’s take a look at how you can start a compost:
Having a good compost heap is a matter of having the right conditions to encourage the growth of beneficial microbes (fungi and bacteria). These microbes feed on the yard and food wastes that you feed them. Like any other living thing, the microbes in your compost pile need air and water, as well as food. This guide will tell you how to build a perfect compost pile and keep it that way.
The microbes are aerobic – they cannot digest the food you give them without air. If they don’t get enough air, anaerobic microbes can take over, causing slower decomposition and an undesirable smell. That’s why it’s important to choose your yard waste carefully- things like wet leaves or green grass cuttings can mat together and not allow air to get through. Instead, choose something like straw- it doesn’t get matted down, and it will allow air to circulate freely. Remember to turn your compost pile frequently enough to allow air to circulate from top to bottom.
Your compost pile should also be moist. There should be water on every particle in the heap, which will encourage microbes to grow and spread. If your compost pile is too dry, the composting process will slow or even stop. If it’s too wet, the wet particles will be too heavy and they’ll push all the air out. When adding dry ingredients, wet them thoroughly. Don’t worry about it when you’re adding kitchen waste – it usually has plenty of moisture.
When it’s time to feed your compost pile, there are two kinds of food that the microbes like best. Think in terms of “browns” and “greens.” Browns are dry or dead plants, straw, weeds, leaves and even sawdust. These are mostly just long chains of sugar molecules, and they provide an ideal food source for the beneficial bacteria and fungi.
Greens are fresh plants, such as kitchen fruit/vegetable waste, green leaves, coffee and tea grounds, as well as horse and other animal manure. Greens contain more nitrogen than browns, and they provide the growing microbes the protein they need. For the best results, aim for a mix of greens and browns. You’ll have the ideal amounts of water and moisture.
As composting is an ongoing process, there’s really no set time when it’s “finished.” Ready-to-use compost is darkly colored and smells like soil. When it’s ready, it can be used in vegetable gardens, lawns, and landscapes, as well as in your houseplants. Compost isn’t only good to your plants, it nourishes the soil as well.
Great resources for info on composting:
- The Compost Resource – One of my favorite sites for composting information. Lots of info for new composters and experienced pros.
- The Garden Of Oz – Basic information on composting and benefits.
- Earth Easy – A guide for making compost at home.
