It was nestled in the corner of our chain-link fenced yard, slightly down the side alley. I remember when I was very young, we had a compost pile in the backyard and, while I didn’t really understand much about it, I knew that was where our banana peels went – and our eggshells. I also knew we raked leaves and threw them on there as well. The rest was a blur, mostly because I didn’t pay much attention to the other vegetation that came from our kitchen. I was much too young for that. Or was I? Honestly, I wish I had known more and paid closer attention to so many things growing up. I hope to teach my own children “compost pile basics” so that when they have their own homes, they can incorporate this very important process into their own everyday lives with very little effort. I want it to come naturally to them.
When I think of the waste I (and my family) have produced over the years that did NOT need to be wasted, it pains me. Truly. I desire so much to reuse, repurpose, and to get more in touch with the cycles of life that humankind have always known and understood. How have we lost so much? Maybe you haven’t. Maybe you were raised understanding self-sustainability and homesteading. But for those of us who grew up in the city, it is less likely. I am grateful that my parents knew enough to garden and compost at least a bit, even though we were on a small lot in the heart of a big city suburb.
THE BASICS
So what are the “basics” of composting? Dictionary.com says that compost is “a mixture of various decaying organic substances, as dead leaves or manure, used for fertilizing soil.” That sentence is about as basic a definition as they come. Digging a little more (pun intended) we find that the EPA says the following:
“Composting is a controlled, aerobic (oxygen-required) process that converts organic materials into a nutrient-rich soil amendment or mulch through natural decomposition. The end product is compost – a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling material. Microorganisms feed on the materials added to the compost pile during the composting process. They use carbon and nitrogen to grow and reproduce, water to digest materials, and oxygen to breathe.”
So, ultimately, when we break it down (see what I did there?), it’s really quite simple. All we are doing is taking our food and yard scraps (organic matter), and rather than throwing them in the garbage can, we are collecting them together and creating the right conditions for nature to make a wonderful (free) fertilizer, packed with nutrients our plants love. It is quite likely you can create a system of “recycling” your kitchen and yard scraps enough to supplement your garden without buying compost or fertilizer (in most cases).
Compost is by far the best thing to grow your plants in, and the very best compost is that which is made in your own yard. So, let’s get started.
OK, SO HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY DO IT?
I’m glad you asked.
- Chose a location with enough space for you to collect bulk scraps and be able to move and turn them. For this, you will want a large shovel – preferably one with a flat tip like this one. Ideally, a pile about 4x4x4 feet is perfect, but try not to have less than a 3x3x3 feet.
- Pick or build a container. This is not required, but most people prefer a container to an open pile. You want your pile to breathe and have oxygen, so chicken wire or spaced wooden slats are the kind of sides you want.
- Collect your ingredients (continually) and mix them. Keep in mind that you want as much variety as possible. Some of the best ingredients for your compost are:
- rejected garden produce
- vegetable and fruit peels and scraps
- crushed eggshells
- straw
- hay
- dried grass clippings
- leaves
- shredded newspaper
- poultry or stable manure
- tea bags
- Mash and moisten your compost regularly. The smaller the pieces, the better (much of the cutting and chopping can be done in the kitchen or by the lawn mower ahead of time). You don’t want to let your pile get dried out, and you don’t want to soak it. Keep it moist.
- Turn regularly. You want to turn your pile inward, toward the center. This is where all the aerobic activity happens and where your scraps break down into fertile compost.
WHEN IS IT READY?
Your compost is ready to use for planting when it is dark and crumbly. If you’ve had the right sized pile, turned it daily, and kept it moist, it may be ready to use within weeks. If your pile has not been turned and mashed often, it could be many months. Really, it depends largely on you, the ingredients you chose, and your interaction. The inside of the pile gets very hot as the microbes break down the organic matter. By moving often, everything is broken down equally. By not turning often, it takes much longer.
A FEW MORE THINGS TO CONSIDER
There are many other things you can add to your compost, such as shredded bark, hedge clippings, coffee grounds, peanut shells, pine needles, etc. But be sure these things are not the bulk of your compost.
Never add diseased or pest-ridden materials. Never add house pet manure (dog or cat). Do not add whole eggs, meat or bones, grease, dairy products, or seeds. Some seeds that make their way into your heap will be broken down and a healthy compost pile will get hot enough to neutralize them (up to 150 degrees F), but you do not want to intentionally add seeds to sprout as your compost is being made. Be careful with grass. Be sure it is very dry and finely chopped up. Otherwise, it will make a slimy, stinky mess rather than nice compost.
It is worth stating again that the center of your compost pile is where the magic happens. The healthier the heap, the more action. You want everything to get its turn in the hot spot at the center. Remember, if you turn your pile daily you will have compost in a jiffy.
My old neighbor in Tennessee was a longtime, experienced gardener and homesteader. She always had three piles of compost going at varying stages. I think this is a great idea. I’ve also heard it suggested having two locations side by side so you can move and toss from one side to the other. It’s something to consider.
Whatever you do, remember, do something. If tackling compost is the next thing you should do, DO IT! I wish I had not had what I have heard called “analysis paralysis” waiting to compost because I might not get it just perfect. It’s literally a heap of waste. Just pile it up!
Is it time you started your compost pile?
Have you successfully made compost for your garden? Do you have suggestions for the rest of us? Please share them below!