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Make Your Own Compost

© Geoffrey Ian Miller

Breaking down organic waste into compost is a cheap method for improving your soil and your plants. Many methods exist for you to make compost. Most are cheap but other methods require a small capital outlay. Avoid using some materials in your compost heap. Compost does not provide all plant nutrition, but lowers the quantity of animal manures needed. Composting is a method of recycling potential waste and aids the environment.

Most organic matter is suitable for the compost heap, but avoid the following:

• Coal ash
• Wood ash combined with manure will remove nitrogen from the heap,
• Avoid diseased plants, pet litter, meat and non-biodegradable material,
• Use coloured paper to a minimum. Apply ash after the initial decomposition stage.

Grass clippings provide much nitrogen. Leave damp grass to dry to avoid making the heap too moist. An over-supply of leaves in the fall provides a good carbon source. Shredding leaves prior to their addition will hasten decomposition. A compost shredder is a valuable investment for breaking down leaves and small branches before you apply them to your heap. A simple alternative is to run your mover over the leaves. Newspaper provides an excellent source of carbon.

Consider the importance of the carbon nitrogen ratio in a compost heap. Aim at a thirty to one carbon nitrogen ratio. This ratio aids biological decomposition. Too much carbon will result in slow decomposition Too much nitrogen and the heap produces a pungent ammonia gas.

The most simple method for making compost is to create a heap on bare ground. Create another heap before the first one is ready to use, to ensure a continual supply. Construct a lumber box with removable panels for access. A simple plastic garbage bin is suitable for small gardens. The carbon nitrogen ratio increases in importance here to avoid pungent odours. An expensive option is to purchase a compost tumbler. Incorporate all ingredients in at once. These are the simplest of many methods.

The University of California method makes compost quick and easy. Shred course material to hasten decomposition. Mix manures, leaf and grass matter well. Turn the heap every three day's. Your compost is ready in two weeks.

Trench composting is another simple method. Dig a trench in your garden 12 inches deep. Throw composting materials in and cover with soil. Do not plant the area prematurely as intestinal parasites may be transmitted from undecomposed matter to humans. Try this method for small areas or if you do not want a visible heap.

The copyright of the article Make Your Own Compost in Organic Gardens is owned by Geoffrey Ian Miller. Permission to republish Make Your Own Compost in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.