There are certain tried and true procedures for good
compost making. It's more than just throwing anything into
a pile and expecting to get good results! What you'll end
up with a mucky mess or a dried out pile infested with ants
or other pests. Here are some time proven tips:
1. It's OK to compost poisonous
plants, such as rhubarb, yew, or poison oak, etc., because
the heat during compost making will break down all the
toxins. If you have some poisonous plants that need
disposed of, don't burn them! The smoke will get in your
lungs and can cause all sorts of problems. Just put them in
our compost pile.
2. To have successful compost, you need a mix of green
materials, such as grass clippings, kitchen refuse, cow and
chicken manure, and sturdier brown materials, such as
twigs, cardboard, paper, plant trimmings. The larger pieces
keep the pile from matting down and turning to goo. After
your compost is finished, if you still have some twigs or
other bigger pieces, you can sift them out and put them in
your next batch.
3. Don't add diseased plant material to your compost
heap.
4. Don't compost dog feces or cat litter boxes, cooked
food, fats, or disposable baby diapers. Cow and horse
manure, poultry manure and the bedding in your barns is
great for compost making.
5. It's necessary to keep the pile moist, but not overly
wet or it won't get enough oxygen (aerobic) and than will
be considered an anaerobic (without oxygen) pile. Anaerobic
piles take much longer to decompose.
6. Whatever method of compost making you use, the pile must
be turned or rotated frequently. This properly aerates the
pile and speeds up the decomposition process.
7. Keep a compost crock or compost pail in your kitchen so
you have an easy way to transport your kitchen refuse to
the compost pile. Both come with filters to control
odor.
8. If you don't generate enough materials, get leavings
from canneries, or all that produce they toss out at
Farmer's Markets, ask you neighbors for their lawn
cuttings, get barn sweepings from farmers, or ask if you
can go out in their pastures and collect "cow pies." You
are only limited by your own imagination and
resourcefulness.
Here are some different methods of compost making:
You can have a successful compost pile using just a
pitchfork. All you need to do is keep the pile together and
turn it frequently. Don't let the edges get too dry, or the
top get too wet. You might have a problem with rats, ants,
and other pests with an unprotected, uncontained pile.
The use of a compost bin protects your pile from pests and
helps keep the moisture even. There are many available for
purchase; however, these are simple to build with wooden
stakes, wood pallets, chicken wire, wire mesh or a host of
other materials.
The use of compost tumblers is the easiest. There are
several varieties available from drum shapes you roll on
the ground to elaborate crank operated systems. Some come
with internal baffles to help the compost materials aerate
better. You either roll the drum around the yard or turn a
handle or crank to aerate your compost. No need to use a
pitchfork.
Here's another suggestion - in the Autumn when there is a
surplus of leaves, it is a better idea to put them in a
black plastic sack and make leafmold. The process will take
about a year or so and definitely be good for your
garden.
The time it takes for your compost to finish varies
depending on the materials you've included, the time of
year, and the type of compost making method you have
chosen. When it is finished, you will have something very
good for your garden, and it was all from free materials
that you saved from the landfill.