5 Easy Steps to Make High Quality Compost at Home

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Making - Compost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compost is a decomposed organic material that is broken down by soil bacteria, creating a natural fertilizer being rich in minerals. From eggshells, rotten fruits to the coffee ground, you can compost any food that is likely to break down in the composting bin.

This is healthy compost for your lawn, flower garden, and veggies. The compost is not only nutritious for your plants but also spreads a pleasant earthly smell across your garden. Another benefit is that composting uses food and yard scraps that would otherwise be thrown away.

Here we have broken down the compost making process in 4 parts given below:

  • Choosing the Compost Pile
  • Collecting Food Scraps
  • Filling the Compost Bin
  • Caring for the Compost

Let’s start with the first part…

STEP 1: Choose the Compost Pile:

First of all, you need to choose an ideal location for your compost. It shouldn’t be close to your home due to the smell. It may attract rodents that may invade your house. Sun will speed up the decomposition procedure, but it will need more water added. The optimal place can be a few feet away from plants (avoid getting it on deck or patio) so that you can easily turn and move the compost.

Once you have done with the location, think about a compost bin. A pre-made compost bin is a good option for a quick and easy start. They are easy to set up; and can be used right away. Make sure to purchase the solid sided black plastic compost bin which will avoid the rodents or other animals getting into the compost pile.

Or you can construct a compost bin yourself if you are looking for a specific size or shape. You can make it using wooden frames. Many people make the pile right on the land.

STEP 2: Start Collecting Kitchen Scraps:

Not all foods are suitable for composting. Therefore, you need to carefully choose the food scraps. For your help, here is the list.

  • All vegetable and fruit wastes
  • Old donuts, bread, crackers, noodles, pizza crust, and other flour things
  • Rice, barley and all grains
  • Coffee grounds, tea bags, filters
  • Fruit or vegetable pulp from juicing
  • Old Spices
  • Eggshells (crush them first)
  • Corn cobs and husks

Fruit and vegetables break down easily and don’t attract rodents, scavenging animals and insects.

And WHAT TO AVOID for Compost

  • All Meat or Meat Waste like Bones, Fat, Skin and Gristle
  • Fish or Fish Waste
  • Dairy Products like Cheese, Yogurt, Cream Cheese and Butter
  • Grease and Oils

This is because they break down slowly and attract rodents as well. And it will fill your bin with an intolerable smell.

STEP 3: Fill Your Compost Bin:

Have you collected all the food scraps? If so, it is time to fill your compost bin with them. However, don’t put the things at once. It should be done strategically.

  • Start Filling with Lightweight Brown Material Firstly:

Layer the bottom with lightweight brown material like dry yard debris, wood chips or leaves. You can use a light sprinkling of garden soil. This is your first layer in a compost bin.

  • Put Green composting Materials like Leaves and Grass Cutting

Green materials are packed with nitrogen. They are used to prompt the heating process in the compost. Some ideal green materials are young weeds, yarrow, grass cuttings, and comfrey leaves. Other items include tea leaves, coffee ground, animal manure, fruit and vegetable scraps. Make sure to keep the green materials in the chunk to create an easy flow of oxygen for microbes.

The quantity of brown and green material should be appropriate. Too much brown (carbon) will slow down the decomposition process, while too much green (nitrogen) can lead to odor. The brown material supplies energy to the microbes and the nitrogen provides them protein.

  • Add Other Items to Your Pot

After putting brown and green items, start adding other items like paper, cotton clothing, egg shells, and hair.

The ideal ratio is 3 parts of the brown material to 1 part of greens. It means that there would be three layers of brown material to 1 layer of green material. Make sure these items come into contact with each other. The layers should be a few inches deep.

Cover the whole bin with a lid or use the layer of yard debris.

STEP 4: Maintain Your Compost Heap:

  • Keep the compost moist so that the items can break down quickly. Sprinkle each layer lightly with water as you create the heap. The pile should be as damp as a sponge.
  • Speed up the process by crushing compost materials into small pieces. Use crushed shred leaves, yard debris, and egg shells.
  • Turn up the pile more frequently with a pitchfork or add dry, brown material if it is too wet.
  • Cover the compost with black cloth during cold weather to maintain the heating.

STEP 5: AND SEE IF THE COMPOST IS READY!

How to tell if your compost is ready for use? It generally takes nearly 2-3 months for compost to be made. The matured compost looks and smells like very dark soil. Another sign of its readiness is that you shouldn’t be able to identify the materials you have added to it. If it is not done yet, leave it in the bin for some weeks.

So this is how you can create nutritious compost for your plants.

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