Residential Composting
- 1). Identify a location for your compost heap. The site should offer convenient access from both your garden and kitchen. Ideally, it should be visually removed from the street and out of the way of patios and other actively used parts of your yard. The site need not be in the sun, but it should be in a dry location.
- 2). Choose a container. While you can compost without one, most gardeners prefer the structure, convenience and aesthetics of a dedicated compost bin. Your bin should allow air circulation and drainage so water doesn't pool in the bottom. You can buy a pre-made bin or make your own using wood, concrete block or wire fencing. If you make your own bin, make sure it offers comfortable access for raking and shoveling. It should contain an overall volume of 3 to 5 cubic feet. This allows for both the ventilation and insulation needed for microbes to do their work.
- 3). Add waste. An ideal compost pile contains a mix of high-carbon and high-nitrogen waste. This provides a balance of nutrients for the decomposing microbes. Woody materials, straw and pine needles are a few high-carbon examples. Examples of high-nitrogen waste include grass clippings, green plant clippings and fruit and vegetable scraps. Include both kinds of products and mix them with a pitchfork.
- 4). Supply moisture as needed. For fast decomposition, the compost pile should have the moisture of a damp sponge. Usually, rain water and waste materials themselves will supply enough moisture, but you may need to give your pile a sprinkle during dry periods.
- 5). Wait for microbes, worms and insects to finish the job. This can take a few weeks to several months, depending on how much labor you add. To speed the process, turn your compost pile over every week or so with a pitchfork. The final product, humus, should be dark, loose, damp and free of unpleasant odor or identifiable waste materials. It will also be a lot smaller than the pile with which you started.
- 6). Transfer your "black gold" to your garden. Use a shovel and wheelbarrow to bring the finished compost to anyplace in your yard that can use better soil. Apply a couple of inches to the surface and gently rake it into the soil.
