Organic Compost for Growing

Compost is a basic soil amendment used in the organic approach to gardening, and can be produced by a majority of organic gardeners. Here's a simple compost recipe for the country gardener:

• 50-70% browns (leaves, hay, dry matter). This is food for the compost micro-organisms. The smaller the particle, the faster the rate of composting.
• 30-50% greens (grass, garbage, manure). These are the fresh, damp materials that decompose rapidly on their own. They contain nitrogen compounds that allow the micro-organisms to grow. The greens are the source of most bad smell related to composting. They should be mixed completely or at least in layers with drier brown materials. Too much green material can putrefy.
• 0-5% black (dirt, old compost). This is the yeast in the bread that starts the compost process. The black speeds the process.
• Water (damp sponge consistency). It is very important to have adequate moisture inside the compost pile. The vast majority of problem piles are too dry. Water the pile as you build it, not from the top at the end. Leaves should be stirred and sprayed to insure that they get wet. If you do nothing else, moisten the pile. The pile may also need covering during rainy periods to avoid water-logging.
• Air (bin with open sides, turning). Composting requires oxygen. Without it, your compost pile may rot and produce bacteria. This occurs most often when too much fresh green matter or garbage is added and not mixed in well. Mix ingredients together and turn as you can.

One of the most important things to remember if you're building your own organic compost is to keep the compost pile turned. If you're into backbreaking labor for exercise, naturally you can turn your compost pile manually with a fork or shovel. If gardening alone is enough exercise for you, take a look at organic compost container bins, either static or tumbler. Container bins make collecting and turning your pile quite a bit easier. You can purchase composting containers from simple box or cone affairs to elaborate rolling or tumbling ones. The most common compost bins are of a manageable size that will accommodate around 12 cubic feet of finished compost. Most are now constructed of high-impact plastic with various features such as rollers or tumblers, in and out access doors and adequate ventilation. Some even offer critter screens to keep furry neighbors from finding a new home in your organic compost pile!

You can also build your own compost bin from inexpensive or even recycled wood and a few nails or screws. With a little ingenuity I'm sure you can also construct one that tumbles or at least one you can manually turn over. I've also seen some innovative ideas such as using old trashcans with ventilation holes punched or drilled in them. Simply combine the compost ingredients and roll around your yard a little. Left over wire fencing can be formed into a sort of basket to hold composting materials. Let your imagination go!

Organic Compost & Organic Gardening

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