Making Your Own Compost

One of the best additives for any type of soil is compost. This can either be purchased at most garden centers, or made from your own kitchen vegetable scraps and garden refuse. Here are a few suggestions for creating compost:

• Compost decomposes quickly when there is a balance between dry and fresh materials. There should be more dry supplies, such as chopped straw or shredded leaves, than green matter, such as vegetable scraps and grass clippings.
• Layer the dry and green materials and mix in garden soil on previously finished compost. This step introduces decomposer organisms to the pile.
• Compost will not decompose properly if too wet or too dry. Be sure to keep the pile covered during heavy rain and sprinkle with water when dry. The targeted consistency is best compared to that of a wrung out sponge.
• To aerate the pile, use a garden fork to poke holes in it or turn it regularly. Use a thermometer with a long probe attached to check the temperature in the pile. When the temperature drops, give the pile a turn.
• Finished compost is dark in color and light in texture. When you can no longer recognize what went into the compost, it is ready for use. When finished, you can either mix with garden soil or spread on the surface of your garden as a mulch.