| Creating a compost pile is one of the simplest | | | | can buy quite economical bins, or build one |
| jobs you can do around your garden and | | | | yourself out of chicken wire, old fencing, or even |
| landscape. However, it is also just about the most | | | | from bales of straw. |
| effective use of your time because it pays big | | | | How do I start my compost pile? Here is a simple |
| dividends in the form of vibrant soil and healthy | | | | way that I have found to be effective. First |
| plants. | | | | moisten the ground with a little water. Lay down |
| As investments go, composting cannot be beat. | | | | some small branches and twigs or some other |
| Why? Because in its simplest form, it is free soil | | | | carbon-based ("brown") material that you have |
| that is full of wonderfully healthy nutrients. | | | | not chopped up. This will allow for aeration. Start |
| Starting and maintaining a compost pile should not | | | | layering your materials, alternating between layers |
| cost much if anything and you will be reducing the | | | | of nitrogen-based ("green") and brown materials. |
| amount of trash that will otherwise be hauled | | | | Try to maintain the 25:1 ratio between brown and |
| away and dumped in a landfill. | | | | green materials. |
| Now, let's get started on building your compost | | | | Should I cover the pile? That depends on your |
| pile. | | | | weather conditions. If you experience excessive |
| Where should I build my compost pile? Just about | | | | wet or dry conditions, I suggest you cover the |
| anywhere will work. However, from an aesthetic | | | | top of the pile with a plastic garbage bag and |
| perspective, you will want to locate it somewhere | | | | weight it down with some rocks to keep it in |
| discreet within your landscape. You will also want | | | | place. This will help retain moisture or (in areas |
| to be sure that the pile is at least a few feet | | | | with heavy rainfall) prevent your pile from |
| away from any structure - house, shed, garage, | | | | becoming waterlogged. |
| fence - because compost is home to a lot of little | | | | Now what do I do? You could just leave it. |
| organisms. | | | | However, you can speed up the process by |
| What tools will I need? Nothing special. A garden | | | | gently "turning" the pile every couple of weeks or |
| fork or shovel. If you have a pitchfork, that | | | | so, using a garden fork or a pitchfork. |
| would be handy, too. Other than that, you will | | | | How long before I have real compost? The |
| probably use some of your regular garden tools, | | | | process takes anything from a couple of months |
| such a wheelbarrow, garden gloves and a lawn | | | | to 2 years, depending on how well you have |
| mower for mulching up leaves. Also, you will get | | | | shredded up the materials, how often you turned |
| better results if you chop up kitchen scraps | | | | the pile, and the amount of air and moisture |
| before adding them. | | | | involved. When the material has decomposed to |
| Will I need a compost bin? A bin is not a "must | | | | the point that it resembles earthy-smelling soil, it is |
| have" item and you can literally build a compost | | | | ready to use in the garden or landscape. Probably, |
| pile on the ground. That would be the cheapest | | | | the most usable compost will be at the bottom of |
| and easiest way. However there are benefits to | | | | the pile. Remove it carefully with a shovel and use |
| using a bin. Bins help to retain heat and moisture, | | | | it as needed, rebuilding the rest of the pile and |
| deter pests and prevent the lighter parts of your | | | | adding more materials from time to time. |
| compost from blowing around in the wind. You | | | | |