| Do you want to start a compost pile but feel it's | | | | the soil and include grass and food scraps. If you |
| too much work? Or do you already have one and | | | | add too much of one item, it will slow down the |
| think that it is taking too long to produce a rich | | | | composting process. |
| and healthy compost soil? Here are some tips | | | | 5. Don't let your compost pile get too dry or too |
| that will help you to create richer compost faster! | | | | wet. Moisture is an important part of the |
| 1. Be sure to rotate the compost pile in order to | | | | composting process. Too dry and the materials |
| get oxygen in the mix, which speeds up the | | | | won't break down properly. Too wet and the pile |
| composting process. Use a composting bin or | | | | will start to rot and develop a very unpleasant, |
| tumbler to make rotating simpler. With a traditional | | | | stinky smell. |
| compost pile, you have to rotate the pile manually | | | | 6. Insects and bugs are nature's way of speeding |
| with a pitchfork. With a bin or tumbler, that | | | | up the compost process. Flying insects and |
| manual work is almost eliminated. For example, | | | | earthworms are the most commonly seen insects |
| with the tumbler, you only have to turn the | | | | near a compost pile. Just let them do their job |
| handle in order to rotate the materials in the | | | | and make sure not to use any pesticides. In fact, |
| tumbler. | | | | the more earthworms there are in the soil, the |
| 2. Don't add food with mold on it to your | | | | healthier the soil is. |
| compost pile. The mold may not be killed off | | | | 7. Avoid adding certain materials to your compost |
| during the composting process and could be | | | | pile. Perennial weeds, such as dandelions or thistle, |
| spread to plants in your garden once it is added | | | | will just keep growing. Poison ivy can cause an |
| to the soil. | | | | itchy rash when you are working with the |
| 3. If you have the time, break down the items to | | | | compost. Plus, some plants are toxic to other |
| be composted into smaller pieces before you add | | | | plants, such as sunflower seed hulls, heads and |
| them to the compost pile. The smaller the pieces | | | | stalks. Finally, avoid adding cat litter and other pet |
| are, the quicker they will break down. | | | | waste, as it can be harmful to humans. |
| 4. Add a variety of materials to your compost | | | | 8. The warmer the compost pile, the faster it will |
| pile. Materials can be classified as either "brown" or | | | | decompose. Place your compost pile in an area |
| "green" and there should be about 2 parts brown | | | | that receives a lot of sunshine. The heat from the |
| material to 1 part green material. Brown materials | | | | sun will heat up the pile fast! Just make sure to |
| add carbon to the soil and include hay, sawdust | | | | add water if you find that the pile is too dry. |
| and dried leaves. Green materials add nitrogen to | | | | |