These items are not safe to compost at home:
- weeds that have gone to seed
- bread and grains
- dead animals
- pet feces
- bread and grains
- meat
- grease
- cooking oil
- oily foods
- diseased plants
2. What To Do To Make It Work
There are small forms of plant and animal life which break down the organic material. This life is called microorganisms. Even a minute amount of garden soil or manure, comes with plenty of microorganisms.
Nitrogen, air, and water will provide a favorable environment for the microorganisms to make the compost. Air circulation and water will keep the microorganisms healthy and working. The nitrogen feeds the tiny organisms. You may have to add a small amount of nitrogen to the pile. Putting on too much nitrogen can kill microbes and too much water causes insufficient air in the pile. You just cannot add too much air.
3. Beneficial Microorganisms
Bacteria are the most effective compost makers in your compost pile. They are the first to break down plant tissue. Then comes the fungi and protozoans to help with the process. The arthropodes, like centipedes, beetles, millipedes and worms, bring in the finishing touches to complete the composting.
4. Smaller is Better
The materials will break down faster if the microorganisms have more surface area to eat. Chopping your garden materials with a chipper, shredder, or lawnmower will help them decompose faster.
5. Size of The Pile
The activity of millions of microorganisms generates heat in the compost pile but a minimum size 3-foot by 3-foot by 3-foot is needed for a hot, fast composting pile. Piles that are any larger may hamper the air supply needed in the pile for the microorganisms.
6. Moisture and Aeration
If you can imagine a wet squeezed out sponge with its many air pockets, then this would be the ideal environment for the microorganisms in the pile to function at their best. Pay attention while your pile is composting, to the amount of rain or a drought you may have. Water the compost in a drought and maybe turn the pile in a lot of rainy days. The extremes of these two may upset the balance of the pile. The use of a pitchfork would come in handy at this time.
7. Temperature and Time
Keep your pile between 110F and 160F and the beneficial bacteria will love it. Not too cool nor too hot.
The temperature will rise over several days if you keep a good ratio of carbon and nitrogen, maintain lots of surface area within a large volume of material, and maintain adequate moisture and aeration.
Importance of Compost
- Compost has nutrients, but it is not a complete fertilizer.
- Compost provides nutrients in the soil until plants need to use them.
- It loosens and aerates clay soils.
- Retains water in sandy soils
How and Where To Use Your Compost
- A soil amendment, mix 2 to 5 inches of compost into gardens each year before planting.
- A potting mixture, add one part compost to two parts potting soil.
- Make your own potting mixture by using equal parts of compost and sand or perlite.
- Make your own potting mixture by using equal parts of compost and sand or perlite.
- A mulch, spread 2 to 4 inches of compost around annual flowers and vegetables, and up to 5 inches around your trees and shrubs.
- A top dressing, mix finely sifted compost with sand and sprinkle evenly over lawns.
- A mulch, spread 2 to 4 inches of compost around annual flowers and vegetables, and up to 5 inches around your trees and shrubs.
The easiest, most efficient and convenient way to make your own compost is to purchase a compost bin. The compost bin shown below, not only makes compost but will also make your compost tea.
Functional and cute composter – The cutest composter in the world. Produces solid and liquid compost. Solid like a tank. Made of food safe, BPA and rust free, UV and antioxidant protected materials. No assembly required, mini composting tumbling bin and compost tea maker.
The final thing I would suggest once you have mastered the art of composting, is to look very seriously at making your very own aerated compost tea. This elixir will give you results that are hard to believe.
