Compost is a rich blend of nutrients derived from organic matter, used by gardeners and farmers to grow plants and flowers in a strong and healthy way. In addition to providing nutrients that help improve depleted soil at no extra cost, compost piles also have the added benefit of recycling many lawn and household waste that is commonly produced that would otherwise end up in landfills. While the initial decomposition time can be long, once a compost pile is active, keeping it running is easy. This article tells you how.
Steps
Step 1. Arrange the compost so that there is a depression on the top of the pile to hold the water
Spray the water into the hole with a garden hose, when the pile starts to look dry. It is important to always keep it moist, but not soggy, because the beneficial organisms that allow compost to decompose properly cannot survive in a too wet environment.
Step 2. Turn the compost regularly to ensure proper air circulation and speed up the decomposition process, encouraging beneficial bacteria and fungal growth
Moving it more often helps if you need to speed up the process or if the pile has a strong odor.
Step 3. Tear or otherwise cut the materials into small pieces before adding them to the pile if you can
Smaller pieces decompose faster.
Step 4. Know what elements can be composted
The more you can add to the pile, the more the compost is able to develop. Among those commonly available there are many organic kitchen waste, grass cut into thin layers, mulched leaves, disease-free and pest-free plants (as long as they are not weeds) and waste paper.
Step 5. Add straw, pine needles, grass clippings, or cuttings if you smell an unpleasant odor
Ventilate the heap well.
Step 6. Add chopped leaves or dry mulch or bits of paper to absorb excess water if you notice the mound becoming soggy
Make sure you ventilate it well.
Step 7. Keep a container with lid and handle under the sink or in the refrigerator
Chop or cut large pieces of kitchen waste before adding them to the container. When it is full, empty it into the compost pile. If you don't produce large quantities of kitchen waste on a regular basis, buy biodegradable bags to put in the bucket, which can be thrown away with the compost and keep the container clean more easily.
Step 8. Cover any exposed pieces of litter with 2.5-5cm of grass to discourage flying insects
Advice
- If the compost pile is wet and only the center is warm, it is probably too small. Add more material.
- Keep dry leaves in sacks or bags next to the compost pile. When adding kitchen scraps and other green materials, throw a layer on top to maintain some balance. Make sure you rotate the pile every time you add new material.
- When finished, the compost should be dark and crumbly with an earthy, not rotten or moldy smell.
- You can add compost activators to speed up the decomposition process. In addition to getting them at the grocery store, you can get grass cuttings, young weeds, and chicken manure that work perfectly for breaking down organic material.
- Do not add pet manure to compost if you plan to use it on vegetables that will be consumed.
- If you have more leaves than your composter can handle, set a separate one specifically for those. The pile should be at least 1.2m wide and 1m high, with a layer of debris for every 35cm of leaves. Make sure it stays moist at all times.
- Do not add meat, bones or fish.
- Compost must be used as an additive to the soil. It does not completely replace it.
- Weeds and diseased plants should not be composted, as they can spread to other plants when compost is added to the soil.
