How to Make Compost

Composting is a lot easier than you might imagine. Once your compost pile is set up, you will only have to do a few quick maintenance steps. There are different styles of composting, but they all work pretty much the same way.

Step One: Select a location for your compost
Where you select depends on what type of home you live in. If you live in an apartment or a place with a small yard, you might consider composting inside. Worm composting is a popular choice for those wishing to compost indoors. A worm bin can be kept in the garage or even right in the kitchen. If you have more space, you can use a bin, tumbler, pile or a pit. Composting bins are boxes which contain the compost. They are available commercially or you can build your own. They typically have a lid to keep out rain and animals. Some bins roll, which allow you to move the bin to where the organic waste is, instead of having to move the waste to the bin. Tumblers are round bins that can be easily turned. This makes aerating your compost pile easier. A compost pile uses no container. The compost is simply placed on the ground. In pit composting, a hole is dug in the ground for the compost.

Although a pile is the quickest and easiest way to start composting, there are some disadvantages. Composting can sometimes create an odor and your compost pile might not be attractive if you live in a residential area. Your homeowner's association might have rules regarding how and where you can compost, so it is a good idea to check with them first. Most people choose to use a bin or a tumbler for their composting. Pick a spot that is convenient, out of the direct sunlight and where water can run off easily.

Step Two: Add materials to the compost
Items should be placed in loosely. Air needs to be able to flow, so keep this in mind. You can put most anything in your compost pile that used to be alive. Fruits, vegetables, and grass are common "green" materials. You will need "dry or brown" materials too, such as cardboard, paper, lint, hair, sawdust, newspaper, hay, straw, dead leaves, and wood chips. You can also add things like coffee grounds and filters, eggshells, ash from your fireplace, and teabags! The key to successful composting is to have a balance between the nitrogen from the green items and the carbon from the brown items. An easy way to do this is to add items to your bin in layers. Place a layer of green material followed by a layer of brown. Make sure that your compost stays moist. It should not be very wet, but resemble a damp sponge. For best results, cut or shred your material into the smallest pieces possible. This will help speed up the composting process.

There are a few things that you shouldn't add to your compost pile. Charcoal ashes from the grill and black walnut tree leaves or branches can have substances that would harm plants. Any plants that have diseases should not be composted because the diseases can be passed on. You can use manure from horses or cows, but don't use dog and cat waste or litter as parasites or other things might be passed on. You should also not add any dairy products, meat, fish, or fats and oils. These things all make your compost pile smell. Not only that, but they attract animals and insects to your compost pile.

Step Three: Maintain your compost
Maintaining your compost is easy. There are only two main things you need to do. The first is checking the moisture level of the compost. You should do this each time you add new materials. If it is too wet, add more brown materials. If it is too dry, add a little water or more green materials. The other important thing to do is to aerate your compost. This is done by simply taking a shovel or pitch fork and mixing up and turning the materials. You can also buy a compost aerator. If you are using a compost tumbler, you simply need to rotate the lever which will turn and aerate the compost. You can tell your compost is working when you notice an increase in temperature. Compost piles that are actively working can range in temperature from 140 to 170 degrees. You can monitor the temperature of your compost pile with a compost thermometer. Once the pile has increased in temperature and cooled back down, you will know that it is done. You should not be able to recognize anything in the pile. It should all look like rich, dark brown or black soil.

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