Learn how to compost.

Learning how to compost is becoming more important as we are becoming more aware that the need to reduce our garbage is a necessity for keeping our environment and planet healthy.

Backyard composting is an easy effective way to reduce our garbage Composting transforms our kitchen and garden waste into a rich fertilizer for our vegetable garden.

Composting is a natural process where organisms and bacterial break down organic matter into a rich dark soil material. This can be added to your vegetable garden beds to enrich the soil fertility and help prevent soil erosion.

Basics on how to compost:

• You can make a pile with or without a container.There are lots of different kinds of composting bins. Check in your local phone book to find out what is available in your area. I have always used a wooden structure. In our backyard my husband built a 3 compartment unit, with removable front and lid. At my commercial organic garden I use pallets. They are a good size, easy to move around and free at the local building supply store.

• It is best to accumulate your waste and build the pile all at once, however it can be done over time, it will just take longer.

• If you are making it over time remember that each time your put in kitchen scraps or other green matter , and equal amount of brown material should also be used.

• The best time to make a pile is in the spring or fall. Heat or cold can slow down the decomposition process.

• For best results, the minimum size of your pile should be 3 feet by 3 feet.

• Use a variety of material with different textures. A pile of one item grass cutting for example will take a long time to decompose.

• Increase the air flow in the pile by turning it.

• Keep your pile covered. The sun will dry out your pile; the rain make it too wet.

• Never let your pile dry out. Make sure the pile is watered regularly, but not too wet. Take a handful from the middle of your pile, it should be crumbling not form into a ball.

• A pile will usually take 3-6 months to be ready, longer if it not managed well.

• Is ready to use when a dark rich color, smells good and crumbles in your hands.

Now here are the steps to making compost .

More composting questions? Are you having problems with your existing compost. Here are some answers to frequently asked composting questions.

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