How to Start Composting

There’s never been a better time to start composting because, realistically, any time is a good time. The good news is that it’s a lot simpler than you might think. Composting is one of the single most important steps to improving the fertility of your lawn, and it helps you efficiently remove waste. It also helps save time and money.

Given the cost of compost and the ease of composting, it’s about time you made your own. Here’s how to start composting by making a compost pile from home experts Renovation Works.

Consider the Location

The first step to starting a compost pile is working out where it will be, and if it should be contained in something. If you happen to have a nice patch of land, then set some room aside in a far corner. You don’t necessarily need a container to start composting. You may want to consider using one if you have only a small amount of land though as it keeps looking tidy. A compost tumbler is a good choice because it can be brought to the door during colder months. Compost containers essentially look like bottomless trash cans that allow the good microbes of the compost to work their way straight to the earth. Therefore you can even make your own composter by removing the bottom from an old trash can.

Start Gathering for the Pile

Gather all the weeds (except poison ivy), dying plant material, leaves, and garden waste from outside the house. Consider getting a special compost bucket for the kitchen sink or use an old sink container or bucket to make your own. There are some things that shouldn’t go on the composting pile including toxic materials, bones, meat, processed foods, dairy, and pet droppings. Other kitchen waste, such as egg shells, fruits and vegetables, coffee and tea grounds, and even crab and shell clams are good choices. Add it to the pile on a regular basis or it will just decompose inside your house, which gets a little smelly. Don’t forget to also wash the container regularly.

Play the Waiting Game

Some people will devise a lot of different ways to attempt to speed up composting, but there’s nothing wrong with just waiting it out. Continue to top off your compost and you’ll soon have some rich and fertile compost ready to go at the bottom of the pile, which is why many composters have a small door to the bottom.

Start Composting!

One of the best things about compost is that it will also wait for you. It’s not like you can lose compost by not using it. Even if the compost is never used, you’re still doing good work by keeping all that waste out of the public waste system. Of course, it’s always best to actually use the compost. Compost your vegetable garden to make your vegetables bigger and stronger; add it to flower beds to make them more resistant to pests, and more beautiful in the process. Or just pack it away and let your friends and neighbors have some for themselves.

Compost is the most powerful weapon in the arsenal of the organic gardener for growing rich, healthy, beautiful pest-free plants. Now you know just how to get started, you’ll soon have some compost of your very own!

Author:  Hunny Sharma