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Compost is the richest fertilizer you can use.
And it is FREE, if you can make it yourself. You don't need to buy
commercial fertilizers when you use this "nature's one." Compost is the
results of decaying
organic material like leaves, grass, or kitchen scraps. Although compost can be made in an open
pile, you'll get faster results if you use a bin.
Nature does the work for you. All you have to do is provide the right
environment of heat, moisture, air, and materials for the organisms in the
compost pile.
If you live in an area which has cold
winters, the spring is the best time to start the compost pile. If not, you
can work your compost any time when there is a supply of grass clippings and
other organic material. In all climates, summer is the perfect time for
composting. Most gardeners find that they can make several batches during
the summer.
Compost is not soil, but when mixed in your
planting areas, it improves your soil. You will see changes in texture & fertility. Compost
will loosen clay soils and it will help sandy soils retain water. The
organic matter provided in compost provides food for many different
organisms, including fungi, bacteria, insects and worms. This decay of
organic material keeps the soil in a healthy well-balanced condition with
the nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus which is produced naturally.
Almost any organic material can be used in
the compost pile. Two types of organic material is needed:
carbon-rich materials "browns," and
nitrogen-rich materials "greens." Include brown materials like dried
leaves, straw, saw dust and wood chips. Include fresh or green materials such
as grass clippings and kitchen scraps.
Quick list of what goes in and what stays out.
List of Brown & Green Materials.
Composting Learning Resources & Supplies
There is no single "right" compost
technique. There are several variations based upon some basic principles of
aerobic decomposition. The technique you start with may be modified as you
gain experience. Keep it simple, convenient, and suited to your lifestyle.
Do not use ashes from the barbeque, animal
by-products (meat scraps, grease, bones), milk or dairy products, dog or
cat droppings, cardboard, diseased plants. Remember, chances are that it a
substance is harmful to you it could also be harmful to the decomposer
organisms in your compost piles. Certainly don't add yard wastes that be
treated with chemicals. When in doubt DO NOT ADD IT.
When the compost is "done" mix it
liberally into new planting areas and also around existing
plants. Most successful gardeners perform this task once or twice a
year. Treat composting as an art and not as pure science.
All organic matter breaks down eventually, no matter what you do.
A bit more brown is a good rule. You will find that you learn by doing.
With time you will discover what works best for you.
Basic Instructions -- to make compost:
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-
 Find
an area in your yard for your compost to live - generally one cubic yard
(3'x3'x3') is sufficient. Begin with dry "brown" materials (2 parts), like
wood chips, dried leaves, sawdust, or straw.
- Next add a layer of moist "green"
materials (1 part), such as grass cuttings, fruit and vegetable scraps,
coffee grounds, eggshells, dead flowers, or pruning materials from your
garden. Remember to break up twigs or large pieces of waste material.
- Keep adding layers, alternating "green"
& "brown" materials with a layer of soil. A layer of manure is great
too, if you can get it.
- The mixture should be kept wet (water
with a hose once a week to keep entire mixture moist). Ideally your
compost should feel like a moist wrung-out sponge.
- You can turn or mix your pile as often
as you like - every 7 days or so - or at least once a month. Your compost
needs air; turning it will help the decaying process and, more
importantly, turning prevents unpleasant odors. A pitchfork works well
for turning the pile.
- Add chicken manure or bone meal (for
nitrogen) if your compost isn't decaying. These are available at your
local garden center. Horse manure is great, but you many difficulty
finding it.
- When it smells and looks like rich dark
fluffy soil, the compost will be ready to use in your garden! If you
are not applying the compost immediately, cover and store it.
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