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Food For Your Garden From A Composter

By Flower | November 11, 2008

There are many instances when homeowners choose not to get started with backyard composting because of the perception that it is hard to do correctly. In reality, you just need to collect the basic organic materials, find a place for the compost heap and then allow nature to take over the task. However, it is good to have some simple and basic guidelines that will help assure the success of your composting project.

There are a number of different types of compost bins on the market that you can use to help manage and contain your compost. But, a special bin is not a requirement that is needed to accomplish successful composting, but more of a convenience. It is easy enough to build your own bin for your compost pile and simply cover it over with a sheet of polythene or chunk of cardboard.

composter
However, if you prefer to have the compost heap looking neater and being easier to handle, then it is a good idea to look into compost bins. These bins are available at most garden centers, at online stores that feature organic gardening products and many local recycling departments will provide them for you free or at low cost.

Making a compost is as simple as adding your organic items that are compostable on a regular basis. Any waste product that was at one time a living thing will compost, or decompose, but some items are not recommended to be thrown into your compost pile. Meats, dairy foods and cooked foods will end up attracting pests and vermin so these should not be used in your home composting efforts.

composting
Dead and decaying leaves, lawn clippings, manure, and kitchen waste such as rinds, peelings, coffee grounds and even eggshells can be added to the compost. Older, thicker and tougher plant materials are slower to decompose but they benefit the compost by providing more substance, or body, to the finished compost product. These heavier composts materials usually comprise most of a compost pile.

Wood items take a long time to decompose. Whenever possible it is best to shred, chip or chop wood materials to help accelerate the rotting process. However, as long as they are mixed in with other materials that decompose faster they will still provide some benefit to the process overall.

green waste
In general it is best to have fairly equal amounts of what is called brown material and green material in your compost. Brown materials are the manures, dead leaves, small twigs and cardboard and newspapers. Green materials include hedge and grass clippings, coffee grounds, fruit rinds and uncooked vegetables.

You can start your compost heap with as little as a foot of compostable materials. When you feel you have collected almost enough to get started, you can simply mow the lawn or get busy pulling weeds from the garden, toss in some of your kitchen waste and newspaper, and maybe add a little straw to provide enough material.

Turn the pile occasionally and let nature takes its course and soon you will have some rich compost to add to your vegetable garden.

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