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The Composting Process - Getting Started
The Composting Process - Getting StartedBy Eric Vinje, Composting 101
Composting is a wonderful way to recycle your garden debris back into the soil. There is nothing better you can do for your garden. Compost contains beneficial bacteria necessary for plant growth, improves soil texture and provides necessary nutrients for a healthy garden. Composting also relieves pressure on public land fills by reducing the amount of garbage.Compost bins can be fancy or plain. Something as simple as a stack of old tires can be put to use as a composter.
To start a compost pile, first select a site in full sun. It is preferable to have the compost sitting directly on the surface of the soil. Cut or chop garden clippings into small pieces. A grinder would be wonderful for this part of the job, but not necessary. Pruning shears work just as well except that it takes longer to chop the garden debris into small pieces. Smaller pieces compost more quickly.
Everything will eventually turn to compost, but to speed things up, you need to have a combination of green and dry material; shredded newspaper works well when there are no dry leaves available. Keep the compost pile damp and turn the pile often to incorporate oxygen. The more frequently you turn the pile, the sooner you will have finished compost to use in the garden. However, if you don't turn the pile at all, you will still get compost. There is a saying in the organic community "Compost Happens."
When you turn the pile, you will notice the garden debris beginning to break down and turn black. This stuff is the compost. You can either sift the pile, or just use what you find on the bottom and throw the big chunks back for further composting. A working compost pile will heat up as the material begins to decompose. It is advisable not to use unfinished, or "hot" compost in the garden. Once the decomposition process is complete, the material will cool down.
There are products you can buy to help your pile get started and lots of different equipment available. Every gardener has their favorite method of composting.
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