I get questions about compost all of the time, and since I am itching to start really get going in the garden, I thought now would be the perfect time to give you the 411 on all things compost.
First, compost is the product of the natural decomposition of organic materials. In an nutshell, it’s the dirt-like substance that comes from waste that is allowed to follow its natural process of breaking down to re-feed the earth. It will happen whether you composts yourself or not–but having your own compost pile really only helps you in the long run.
Compost is nature’s way of making sure the earth doesn’t pile up with waste. {As humans, we have, of course, managed to figure out how to make things that simply to not break down, but that’s a whole other topic.} The decomposition, by design, feeds the plants that grow from the earth, which feed the animals. It’s all part of the great cycle of nature.
Creating a compost pile or buying a composter helps to reduce the amount of stuff that ends up shoved into plastic bags and sent to the landfills. It also results in what most gardeners refer to as “black gold” for your garden. Compost is a nutrient rich amendment for your soil that is literally free to make.
Making your own compost is basically a no-brainer. It’s easiest to start with kitchen scraps. {Click HERE to see a full list of kitchen scraps that can be composted.} Just get a bucket or composting collector of some sort, and toss in your kitchen scraps. When it is full, take it outside to the compost pile and dump it. Layer your kitchen scraps with grass clippings, leaves, and other yard waste {sticks need to be put through a wood chipper, otherwise they take FOREVER to break down}. As a general rule of thumb, if it came from nature, you can usually send it back to nature.
Compost will need to “cook” before it breaks down into a dirt like substance. In order for your compost to break down, you will need microbe activity. This happens pretty naturally, and while there are ways to help it along {by adding nitrogen}, I don’t think you need to. The microbe activity is what causes the heat {maybe you have seen a compost pile steaming in the middle of winter?} which is needed to cook the compost. It’s important to keep constant moisture {but don’t over do it} and turn your compost pile frequently in order to get the fastest results.
If your compost is complete in the spring, make sure to allow it to sit for up to 3 months before applying it directly to your beds. See how I made a compost bin out of wood pallets HERE. Compost can be “hot”, which means it is high in nitrogen, and it can burn your plants. Allowing it to sit can prevent that. If you compost is done in the fall {which I think is ideal}, you can spread it over the top of your garden when you put it to bed and allow it to sit over the winter. Come spring, you will be ready to turn it into the soil and plant. {Store bought compost can be used any time}.
That’s about it. Do you have anything to add about compost?
~Mavis
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Random Person Named Melissa says
I recently watched a video about Composting. You might find it intresting.
E says
Re composting dairy, meat, bones and fat. Remember reading that in California, a community was REQUIRING composting, including the mentioned items. Either you kept the material for a weekly city pickup, or you purchased an appliance, sized like a small dishwasher, that would cycle through and produce immediately usable compost. Obviously the materials were heated such to kill all pathogens. It was hoped that sufficient people would purchase the unit to get the price down below $300. Don’t know if the company was successful.
KAte says
Generally speaking home compost piles don’t get hot enough to break down the fats and proteins, but commercial composters do. So be careful with fats and proteins at home, but if your community has a compost program you can send them along!
Becky says
Thought you might find this link helpful…
http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/milk-and-molasses-magic-zbcz1402.aspx#axzz2z4k3XZEo