| Compost is a collection of different organic | | | | will add nitrogen and will speed up the |
| matter, such as yard clippings, small twigs, leaves | | | | decomposition process. |
| and organic kitchen waste that have gone through | | | | Sometimes it is helpful to shred, chop or mow |
| the process of decomposition. Numerous people | | | | the available materials into smaller pieces. This will |
| do composting so that they can make good use | | | | serve to speed up the composting process |
| of the available organic material that is around | | | | because the smaller the pieces of material are the |
| their property and even in their home. This gives | | | | greater the surface area. |
| composters a chance to make use of the nutrient | | | | The proper moisture levels are important to a |
| rich muck that is produced and which is very | | | | successful composting process. It is said that the |
| beneficial to garden soil. | | | | compost pile should have about the same amount |
| In fact, to avid gardeners, compost is highly | | | | of moisture as a sponge that has been wrung out |
| regarded and considered the "black gold" of | | | | by hand. If the compost pile is too dry, then the |
| garden fertilizers. Material that has gone through | | | | decomposition slows down. You can simply add |
| the composting process ends up producing a | | | | some water to the pile during dry weather |
| wonderfully rich material that is filled with minerals | | | | periods or any time when a lot of brown material |
| and nutrients that are well suited to encouraging | | | | has been added to help keep the process moving |
| lush and healthy growth of new plants. | | | | along. |
| The end result of composting is a very rich | | | | Should the compost become too wet, simply dig |
| organic substance that is able to mix with and | | | | in and turn the pile to mix the materials and |
| improve virtually all types of soil. Clay soil is easier | | | | spread the moisture. You can also add some |
| to work with when compost is added to it and a | | | | brown organic materials that are very dry to help |
| wider variety of plants can be supported. When | | | | balance things out. |
| dealing with sandy soil, the addition of compost | | | | Sufficient oxygen is also a key element that is |
| helps the soil retain moisture much better. | | | | necessary for decomposition. Oxygen supports |
| The composting process involves four different | | | | the breakdown of the organic materials by the |
| components that are required to create a mixture | | | | bacteria. Supplying oxygen to the compost pile is |
| that will deliver the sought-after benefits. These | | | | as simple as turning the compost so the materials |
| four key components are organic matter, correct | | | | at the outer edges of the pile are moved to the |
| moisture, sufficient oxygen and bacteria. | | | | center. This also helps to control odors that can |
| The organic materials suitable for composters | | | | develop. The pile should be turned about every |
| include various plant materials, food scraps, and | | | | two weeks for best results. |
| some varieties of animal manure. Good compost | | | | It is the bacteria, and other types of |
| should include a mix of brown organic material and | | | | microorganisms, that do the real work involved in |
| green organic material. The brown organic matter | | | | the composting process. With the other needed |
| includes such as dead leaves, twigs, and manure. | | | | elements in place, the bacteria can go to work |
| The green material will be comprised of things | | | | breaking down the organic components into the |
| such as grass clippings, hedge trimmings, coffee | | | | compost that will benefit the organic garden. |
| grounds, fruit rinds and vegetable waste. | | | | When the composting cycle has turned the |
| The brown materials provide carbon for the | | | | organic waste matter into a muck that is rich in |
| mixture, while the green materials bring in supplies | | | | nutrients, you will be able to easily add it to your |
| of needed nitrogen. As much as possible, it is best | | | | garden soil. While preparing your soil for a spring |
| to try to maintain a one to one ratio of brown | | | | planting, simply cover the ground with about 3-4 |
| material to green material to produce the best | | | | inches of the compost and then till the soil to mix |
| final compost. If you have a compost pile that | | | | it in well. In no time you will start to see a healthy |
| contains more brown material than green, then | | | | and vibrant garden. |
| you can add in a handful of 10-10-10 fertilizer. This | | | | |