Composting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce waste and improve your garden soil. By composting your kitchen scraps and yard waste, you can turn them into nutrient-rich humus that will act as a natural fertilizer for your plants. Here are the basics to get started with composting:
Having a compost bin or pile is essential. You’ll need a container, bin, or enclosed area in which to keep your compost. Many home improvement stores sell compost bins, or you can easily construct your own using wooden pallets, wire fencing, or a trash can with holes in the bottom. The ideal size for a compost pile is 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet.
Add brown and green materials in the proper ratio. Browns are carbon-rich materials like dried leaves, straw, and shredded paper. Greens are nitrogen-rich materials such as kitchen scraps, grass clippings, and manure. Aim for 2 parts browns to 1 part greens. Browns provide carbon, greens provide nitrogen, and both are needed by the microorganisms that break down the organic matter.
Maintain the right moisture levels. Your compost should be damp but not soggy. Add water as needed to keep the center of the pile as damp as a wrung-out sponge. Covering the pile will help retain moisture in dry weather.
Provide oxygen. Turn your compost pile regularly, about once a week. Turning or tumbling the compost introduces more oxygen, which helps aerobic bacteria thrive. Using a pitchfork or compost turner, turn materials from the center and edges into the center.
Monitor the temperature. An active, properly working compost pile will heat up to 110-160 F as the microbes break down the organic matter. The high temperature helps destroy pathogens and weed seeds. If the temperature is not increasing, it likely needs more nitrogen, water, or oxygen.
In about 3 to 6 months, your compost should become dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling. Finished compost will no longer heat up when turned and the original materials will no longer be recognizable. Add the finished compost to your garden soil or use it as mulch around plants and trees.
