broken down
natural materials. By using compost, you’re improving the
retention of moisture for your plants, it helps improve the structure
and integrity of the soil, and lastly it aids in the “breathing” of
your soil, by improving soil ventilation.
When it comes to making organic compost, the best news is that it can
be made with virtually no cost and very little effort on your part.
You can use food scraps, egg shells, leaves, grass clippings, bush
trimmings, flowers, weeds, animal manure, and any other organic matter
that will break down naturally.
Materials needed to make organic compost aren’t hard to obtain.
In fact, you probably already own them. You need a sturdy pitch
fork, rake, and a shovel. You will use these tools to turn and
spread out your organic compost pile.
You will also need a good location for your compost pile. You
do not want your compost pile to be placed next to any type of
structure. For example, keep your compost heap away from fences, a
shed, your house, trees, etc…A compost pile isn’t the most visually
appealing site either. Therefore, you also want to try and put it
somewhere out of sight. You wouldn’t want it in the front yard
right next to your door. You also want to put it somewhere that
attracts worms, bugs, and other insects. These tiny creatures will
help to speed up the decomposition process.
You will also need some organic material to decompose. This was
touched on a little bit above. Such items as grass clippings,
weeds, bush trimmings, etc…These items are what provides your compost
pile with nitrogen; which, in turn, creates nitrogen rich food for your
plants.
You will also need some dried straw and dried leaves. These
natural materials will add carbon to your organic compost.
Remember, plants need carbon dioxide to survive. The carbon is
needed to create the carbon dioxide.
You should also add potassium and phosphorous to your organic
compost. These will make sure the soil is chemically well
balanced.
Once you have an organic compost pile, it is highly suggested you
spread and turn the pile every other week. By doing this, you will
speed up the rate in which decomposition takes place. The easiest
way to know the decomposition process has completed, is to look at the
compost. When the color turns a dark, rich, color; you know it is
finished and ready to be put on your organic garden. Also, when
you pick it up in your hands, it will have a very distinct “earthy”
and sweet smell to it. The smell will be very prevalent if you
crumble it in your hands.
There is one thing worth mentioning about compost piles: They should
never have a bad odor. This is a common misconception about
compost piles. A compost heap, which has a bad odor, is one which
isn’t being properly taken care of. If your compost pile does
begin to smell bad, it could be because it has too much water or not
enough oxygen. This can be fixed by aerating the compost pile.
Spread it out, turn it over.
You can use such kitchen items as egg shells, potato peelings, wilted
lettuce, etc…You should not use meat scraps, dead vines, grease, or
bones. These types of organic materials can contaminate your
organic compost.
Hopefully,
you’ll see the benefit to using organic compost on your organic
garden. Organic compost is a quality source of nutrition for your
organic garden. Again, best of all, it’s very low cost.
