| Composting | | | | 3. Spread a thin covering of soil for each 18 inches of |
| What is composting? Composting is two things. First | | | | depth. The soil carries a lot more microorganisms that |
| it is a way to create your own beneficial natural soil | | | | aid in decomposition. |
| amendment. Second it is a simple, efficient method to | | | | 4. Wet the pile as you construct it. Keep the material |
| reduce solid waste materials at home. By including | | | | about as moist as a wrung-out sponge. |
| compost in gardening beds and planting holes you're | | | | 5. Turn the pile right after the temperature begins to |
| improving nutrients and enhancing soil texture. In | | | | decrease, wetting it as necessary to keep it moist. In |
| addition, compost loosens heavy clay earth and | | | | approximately a week, a well-built pile will heat up and |
| boosts the water-holding capability of sandy soils. | | | | peak between 120F and 160F. Use a garden fork to |
| A compost pile is basically a way to promote speedy | | | | turn the pile each week or so the first month if you |
| decomposition of collections of plant and occasionally | | | | don't have a compost thermometer. |
| animal materials combined by combining them in a | | | | Types of Compost Bins |
| heap. Bacteria and fungi break down this organic and | | | | Compost bins keep compost piles neat and assist in |
| organic material into a soil-like consistency. These | | | | retaining moisture and heat. They also help to keep |
| organisms require oxygen and water to survive. | | | | out animal pests, depending on their design. For these |
| Turning the heap over supplies oxygen, and periodic | | | | reasons, especially in city areas, a bin is really a great |
| watering helps keep it damp. If the pile is well | | | | idea. Bins are obtainable through nurseries, garden |
| prepared and the organisms are flourishing, it heats | | | | centers, discount stores and through mail order. |
| up rapidly and doesn't give off any annoying smells. | | | | Commercial compost bins can cost up to $400. |
| Finished compost that looks and feels like darkish, | | | | Alternatively you can construct your own with scrap |
| crumbly dirt generally takes less than a month to | | | | materials. |
| create. | | | | A wire bin is the easiest to construct. You'll need |
| The essentials of great composting are the same | | | | about 11 feet of 36" welded reinforcing wire with a |
| regardless of if you make your compost in an | | | | grid of about 2" x 4". Bend the wire to create a hoop |
| elaborate store-bought bin or simply in a freestanding | | | | and tie the ends together with sturdy wire. If you |
| pile. To obtain the best results, just follow these | | | | line the wire mesh with landscape fabric it will help to |
| steps: | | | | prevent the pile from drying out excessively. This bin |
| 1. Start by assembling equal parts by volume of dried, | | | | stores about a cubic yard when full. To use this bin |
| brown, carbon-rich substances like old leaves or | | | | simply start by filling it with the appropriate balance |
| straw and fresh, green, nitrogen-rich substances like | | | | of organic material. When the pile is ready to turn, lift |
| fresh-cut grass, green vegetation and vegetable | | | | off the wire mesh and set it next to the pile then |
| kitchen wastes. But take care because not every | | | | turn the material and fork it back into the enclosure. |
| substance belongs in an open compost pile. Farm | | | | Voila, you're done. |
| animal manures are a safe source of nitrogen, but | | | | Another choice is a wooden compost bin constructed |
| dog and cat waste can spread unhealthy organisms. | | | | out of wooden pallets, wooden scrap board and wire. |
| Meat, fats, bones, and cooked foods decompose | | | | For a much more elaborate model use 2" x 4" and 2" |
| slowly, might be smelly, and may attract animal pests. | | | | x 6" lumber. The Rolls Royce of the wooden |
| Only add these to compost bins that close tightly. | | | | compost bins uses 3 bins arranged side by side. |
| Avoid chemically treated lawn clippings and diseased | | | | Though this can be time-consuming to construct, |
| plant material. Lastly, keep out tenacious weeds that | | | | some gardeners love the convenience of a three-box |
| spread by runners and roots, such as Bermuda grass | | | | bin and the quality of compost it produces. Basically, |
| and weeds which are about to go to seed. | | | | every bin is for compost at a various stage of |
| 2. If possible chop or shred the organic materials into | | | | maturity. For instance, fresh material is added to the |
| little pieces. 1/2 inch or smaller pieces are are ideal | | | | far-left bin, turned into the middle one after several |
| simply because they break down rapidly. Construct | | | | weeks, and then turned into the bin at the far right |
| the pile at least 3' x 3' x 3', alternating layers of the | | | | to finish. |
| carbon-rich material with the green material. | | | | |