Composting Made Easy
The thought of composting may be daunting, but don’t be fooled. It’s not as tricky as you may think. Here’s how to compost the easy way.
I’ll admit it, I had trouble with composting earlier in my gardening journey. It seemed like everyone who was doing it was a pro. They used terms I didn’t get, talked about layering, and some even used thermometers to check the temperatures of their piles. It all felt a little too intense to me.
For a while, I put it off. I’d make do with the soil I had and chalked up composting to be too much of a hassle.
That was until I started expanding my garden.
As I gardened more and more, I learned about soil health and fertilizer. I also was a keen viewer of Gardners’ World. There, I learned how helpful compost could be in the garden. The show’s presenter, Monty, is referred to by fans as the ‘Compost King.’ He contended that the secret to his thriving garden was the compost he made.
And Monty is seldom wrong. So, with my greater understanding of soil health and the persuasion of a charismatic TV show host, I began to compost.
Like any goal, it’s easiest to accomplish if it's broken down into bite-sized pieces. First, I figured out what tools I would need. Then I looked into what materials have to go into the pile. After that, I researched the how-tos and finally learned how to properly utilize finished compost.
Composting doesn’t have to be a formidable endeavor. It can be easy to accomplish. I wrote a basic instructional on composting. Keep reading to see just how simple it can be…!
Here are the Basics of Composting:
Tools:
Compost fork or an aeration tool (to turn the pile)
Pruners (to chop material into smaller bits)
Watering can or hose
and a compost thermometer (if you’re hardcore)
Picking a location:
When deciding on a location think about putting the pile in a place that is easily accessible. In a sunny spot, the pile will need to be watered more often. In a shady spot, it will decompose more slowly.
Put it somewhere level and in a place where you can turn it without too much trouble.
Make sure it’s not near any drinking water sources, creeks, ponds, or rivers. It could pollute the water.
Maybe you want it close to your garden or at the edge of your property. It is entirely up to you!
Materials:
A compost pile needs materials that will decompose and transform into that amazing substance we know as compost. There are 2 types of materials that you will hear composters talking about: green and brown.
Green materials are fresh, moist, and rich in nitrogen. They can include garden trimmings, grass clippings, fresh leaves, coffee grounds, vegetable and fruit scraps, etc.
Brown materials are dead, dry, and rich in carbon. They can be dead leaves, straws, pine needles, spent potting soil, corncobs, egg shells, newspapers, plain, unprinted cardboard, etc.
A combination of both is needed for making a successful compost pile.
Here are some things you should not use — pesticide-treated plant or grass clippings, invasive species, meat scraps, fats or dairy products, coal, or plastics.
Making the Pile:
Step 1
Gather materials and chop them into smaller pieces so they can decompose more easily.
When I first composted, I made the mistake of leaving scraps whole. Entire potatoes and rotten onions did not decompose. Instead, they sprouted!
Step 2
Start the first layer. Put down brown materials 4–6 inches or around 13 centimeters high. Water it until it's moist but not drenched.
Step 3
Start the second layer. Sprinkle 2 inches/5 centimeters of greens on top. Water.
Step 4
Add a handful of soil from the garden to introduce microbes (these are star players in the decomposition game).
Step 5
Continue adding brown/green layers at a ratio of 2:1. Mix contents every few layers or so. Add layers, mix the pile, and repeat.
When you are satisfied with the size, make sure the contents of the pile are thoroughly mixed together. It’s like making lasagna and then stirring layers together. Please don’t make lasagna like that, though. It was just an example.
Step 6
Grab a handful of the pre-compost and squeeze. It should be dripping water. If it’s dry, add water. If it’s too wet/soppy, add more materials.
Check on the pile every week:
Week 1: Turn the pile, water if dry
Week 2: Turn the pile, and water if dry, at this time the pile should be steaming
Week 3: Turn the pile, and water if dry, pile should look uniform
Week 4: Turn the pile, and water if dry, at this point the compost should be crumbly
Week 5: Done! Some things may take some time to break down if they haven’t already. If the pile smells bad or still feels hot to the touch, it will need more time
Tips & Tricks
- You can add kitchen scraps and yard materials to the pile as you wish.
- The pile needs oxygen, which is why we turn it once a week. And if our materials are torn into pieces too small, the pile may not get enough oxygen.
- There can be too much of a good thing: only add an inch of finished compost to your garden at a time. It can overwhelm your plants with salt and lead to diminished growth if you put 2 inches or more on the soil.
- You can, however, do a 50/50 mix of compost and soil when potting container plants.
- Compost (as a mulch) can be applied in autumn or spring. It is best to avoid summer application because plants are already later on in their stage of development.
That’s all!
I hope you found this guide to be useful and straightforward. It can take a little time to figure out what will work best for you and your garden, but don’t let that hold you back. Composting is a great way to help the environment, save money on fertilizer/soil amendments, and possibly cut back on your garbage bill.
Plus, it’s kinda fun once you get the hang of it.
Is there anything I missed? If so, let me know!
Happy composting
