What is Compost?
Compost is organic material that can be used as a soil amendment or as a medium to grow plants. Mature compost is a stable material with a content called humus that is dark brown or black and has a soil-like, earthy smell. It is created by combining organic wastes such as:
Yard trimmings (Grass)
Bio-degradable food (Fruit, Vegetables, etc.)
Animal Waste... (Have a dog?)
The process of organic decay happens naturally; As vegetation falls to the ground, it slowly decays, providing minerals and nutrients needed for plants and animals.
Why Compost?
Composting is easy to do and can (After time) become a great accessory to any garden, big or small. Not only can you use it as your own natural recycling process it will save you money if you find the need to constantly buy fertilizers or "nutrient rich" soils. The point of compost is to make a full cycle to recycle. After sometime has passed your compost can be used as topsoil for any plants; vegetable, fruit, or just flowers. It is highly rich in nutrients and its free!
How do I start composting?
To start off you have a few decisions to make. How large will my compost be? What am I using my compost for? Where will I place my new natural recycling plant?
First and foremost I suggest choosing a location that is A) In the corner of your yard. Although natural and in the long run healthy, nobody want to smell decomposing food through their windows. B) Semi shaded throughout the day. Heat can help speed up the process of decomposing your wastes however it can dry out your compost!
Building suggestions:
Square foundation of wood planted firmly in the ground, It doesn't have to be much more then 4 posts and some 2x4 planks to frame it off.
Chicken Wire: Cheap and practical- It can keep your pets and some animals out of your compost but it also helps define the space your working with!
Regular Fencing: Many people I know who have set up compost in their own yards tend to have it fenced off with short chain link fencing. I don't suggest this if your not looking for something permanent!
Before you build however, think. What will you be using your compost for and how much waste (Biodegradable) do you go through weekly/monthly? You don't want to end up with an area to small or to large.
What else do I need?
Patiences. Decay doesn't happen overnight. Alright well it does, but not to the extent that you need. It can take several months for the lower levels of your compost to be ready for use, this is why it's an investment for the future.
I have my area set up- Now what?
The first thing to do is create a small mound. You can use several things but most often dirt or grass clippings are chosen. You can start throwing your biodegradable's in right away. I suggest when putting wastes in to rotate your dirt, this not only helps the process but will stop silly animals from scurrying off with your banana peels...
Maintenance:
Composts are rather easy to upkeep- There are only two major things that need to be done to keep the process going. First of all I suggest (Not everyone does this) That you rotate your compost regularly, twice a month is more then enough. Keep the older material on the bottom but don't be afraid to mix the whole compost. Second deals with moisture. Water is very important in breaking down your compost, that is why it is suggested you place you compost in an area that is at least shaded for a portion of the day. If you find your compost has become dry don't be afraid to spray the hose over it!
I'll add more to this, tips, tricks, and other ways the compost can help you and the environment! Also pictures will be incoming later.
I love composting in the warmer weather. By the way: earthworms are a great addition to the compost process, especially if you're not as patient! Not to mention, coffee grounds can be added and earthworms love them. I had earthy wormies in mine this summer/fall. <3
I ought to look into composting. Seems like it'd help out mum with her roses and would be a better alternative to throwing out all the left over foodscraps (compostable of course).
I love the smell of it for some reason.
And in fall when it's the first colder days after you cut the grass the last time, I get a warm fuzzy feeling watching the compost emit steam into the air.
Tip: Shredder your wood before putting it into the compost.
And when you are opening it, filter the compost. Just take a pitchfork and throw the stuff onto a ...errr... what's the word....strainer?
One of those: [img]http://images.handwerker-versand.de/images/product_images/popup_images/lag112057.jpg[/img]
A good compost takes two years, by the way. And when you start a new one, throw a bit of your old one into it so it starts off more easily with all the insects and microbes and whatnot.
We normally just dump all the decaying shit on the pile and our compost is godlike. Why making it so difficult?
Also, didn't knew there were so many people on Facepunch who are into gardening and shit.
We have raccoons where I live and they get into EVERYTHING. Tried to put some food scraps in a pile with some leaves and they tore everything up and made a huge mess.
Stupid raccoons.
[img]http://www.hawkeye.ca/images/raccoon_commercial_garbage.jpg[/img]
You have invented the raccoon trap. Profit.
Adult raccoons are scary, but they're still so cute.
I just want to trap a baby raccoon so I can pet it and cuddle it and love it and name it Simon and buy it a leash and take it for walks and train it to eat cats.
Compost is incredibly convenient. I dump all non-synthetic (or meat) food scraps in it, and use it as yard waste and sawdust disposal.
I bought a compost tumbler over the weekend and started putting it together.
I'll finish assembling it tonight and post some photos and then try to remember to update with photos as I throw things in and take compost out.
It looks like this:
[img]http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/07139103000[/img]
Beginner's Guide to Composting
[url]http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/rrr/greenscapes/pubs/compost-guide.pdf[/url]
[IMG]http://i56.tinypic.com/309raf7.jpg[/IMG]
Took forever to put together.
Had to return the first one I got because the holes didn't line up correctly.
So far it just has some grass and weeds in it. Not much in the way of food or anything interesting yet.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.
