Composting is easy to learn and is great for both your yard and the
environment. The process involves turning organic waste into a type of rich soil
called humus. Compost-friendly organic wastes include fruit and vegetable
peelings, coffee grounds, grass clippings and leaves. It's not a good idea to
include meat and dairy products, fats, pet droppings or animal products in your
backyard compost. They will attract pests to the pile and can spread disease.
Here are some easy tips to help you make an effective compost pile:
* Use newspaper or plain white paper for composting. Shred it first to speed up
the process.
* Adopt the 50/50 rule. A perfect mixture of compost material is made up of half
carbon-based material ("brown") and half nitrogen-based material ("green"). Both
are necessary for quick decomposition and rich compost. Compost piles made up of
just grass will compact, slow down and start to stink.
* Cut up or shred organic waste materials before you put them into your compost
pile. This helps speed up decomposition.
* Keep your compost pile moist. The organisms need water to survive, but not so
much that they will drown.As you build your compost pile, make sure that each
layer is moist as it is added.
* Use a pitchfork, garden hoe or shovel to mix and turn your compost pile three
to five times a season. This helps the organisms that live inside your compost
get air to survive. Proper aeration is important. If the pile starts to smell
like ammonia, it's a sign your compost isn't getting enough oxygen.
* When finished, your compost pile should look, feel and smell like rich, dark
soil. You also shouldn't be able to recognize any of the individual items you
put in there.
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