HOW TO: Compost

[Knowledgeum]

It seems like an easy thing to do but making compost is a fine line between art and science. Many fail because the don't make compost right. This is a handy little guide to making compost right.

1. Compost needs time. People think compost is created in a day. No, compost is just like Rome.
2. Compost requires both "green" and "brown" ingredients to be successful and have all the nutrients it needs. Green items are leaves, grass clippings, weeds, leafy vegetable scraps, etc. Brown items are shredded paper, newspaper clippings, dead plants, saw dust, egg shells, coffee grinds, etc.
3. Yes, you can add food to make compost, but not all food can go into a compost pile. No meats, no fish, no fats, and no oils should ever be placed in a compost pile. A good rule of thumb is if it was grown from the ground it can be put in a compost pile and if it ate from the ground, leave it out. The exception to this rule are egg shells. Egg shells are great in compost piles.
4. Compost needs air! The reason compost is created is the micro-organisms and bugs that eat the material and "convert" it. Compost needs to be turned every so often.
5. Compost also needs to be moist. No need to have large amounts of water, but it does need a small amount.
6. Without the correct balance between green and brown items, the compost pile may not produce or may produce slower than expected.

[kompik]

Nice tips!

[Mike]

You should also note that you need an area of at least 3-foot by 3-foot to create compost.

To jump start compost making you can either add a little compost to a new pile or you can add some blood meal.

[ChowYunFat]

I have to agree with the others, this has a good amount of info about composting. Communities should have a community compost pile. Those are great.

[PaladinVII]

Does compost really make that big of a difference with plants and stuff?

[ameoba]

Compost is one of the best ways to improve plants!

[Soulmancer]

Nice list about how to compost!

[stubert311]

I just love being able to plant trees and shrubs and vegetables without buying any soil. Plants just look so much healthier with compost! Does anyone know anything about this compost tea trend going around?

[LeeJ]

Thanks for the tips, there are a lot of useful ones in this forum