Compost makes a rich base for potting. and planting soil.
Yard debris and food waste represent just over one-fourth of the municipal solid waste stream, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Instead of sending your share to the landfill, put it to work in your yard, garden, flower beds and flower pots. Composting produces a rich, powerful soil amendment that feeds your plants naturally and inexpensively. Follow simple steps and you can start improving your landscape and the rest of the world at the same time. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Choose between an open compost pile or an enclosed compost bin. The choice doesn't affect the quality of the final product, but can affect how well-received your project is by your family and neighbors. Enclosed bins have a neater appearance and keep scavengers from digging in your compost. If you're in the country and have plenty of wide open space, open piles are more flexible when large volumes of material like lawn clippings and autumn leaves become available. They are easier to turn, too. Enclosed bins can be built from plans or purchased in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and styles.
2. Locate your compost pile or bin in a shady spot, preferably out of view, with convenient access to water and your garden tool storage.
3. Add organic matter every chance you get. Organic matter for compost is categorized as either a "green" or a "brown." As much as possible, keep the ratio three parts brown for every one part green. Greens include leftover cooked vegetables, vegetable trimmings from food preparation, stale bread and grains, coffee grounds and paper coffee filters, grass clippings, tea bags, hair, fur, and herbivore manures. Browns include eggshells, nut shells, wood ash from a fireplace, straw, fallen leaves, old potting soil, dry wood chips, 100 percent cotton and pure wool rags, newsprint, plain cardboard, and toilet paper rolls.
4. Turn the compost with a pitchfork frequently and water as needed to keep it moist, but not saturated. Bury additions that would tempt scavengers deep in the middle.
5. Smell the compost as it is working to gauge its progress and health. If you notice any off-putting odor, you need to add more brown material.
6. Screen the compost after several weeks, returning large chunks to the bin or pile to keep breaking down.
7. Mix equal parts of your finished compost, sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite to create a basic potting and planting soil.
Tags: compost pile, Enclosed bins, planting soil, potting planting, potting planting soil, your compost