| It's not difficult to make compost you can do it in | | | | is considered to be a high quality ingredient however |
| your back yard with no experience at all. Simply | | | | you need to confirm what the animals were fed so |
| spread mixed amounts of ingredients atop one and | | | | as not to introduce undue chemicals to your mixture). |
| other, make sure that they receive the air and | | | | Sprinkle a small amount of lime on top of this, you |
| moisture necessary and churn the piles to make sure | | | | can substitute this with dust or wood ashes to add |
| that there is activity amongst the important bacteria. | | | | to the mineral content of the compost. Make sure to |
| The ingredients you use can be just about any | | | | add water often, continue to add layers and make |
| natural ingredients. Coffee grounds, banana peels, | | | | sure to keep the compost loose and free to breathe. |
| grass clippings, sawdust, bark, vegetable matter, | | | | The heap will begin to shrink and heat up within a |
| mulched leaves, grass, or branches. Any of this can | | | | few days. Turn it after 3 weeks with a hoe or pitch |
| be used as long as there are no chemicals present in | | | | fork and do so again 3 more weeks after that. Make |
| the matter. | | | | sure to turn out the entire pile so as to expose all of |
| You can create compost either in special containers | | | | the internal bits that require aeration. Although, make |
| specifically designed for compost, or simply in piles | | | | sure not to turn the pile too much, heat needs to |
| that you designate for compost, funny enough called: | | | | build in order to facilitate the decaying process, keep |
| Compost Piles. Each have their pros and cons. Piles | | | | it moist but do not make it wet. Your compost |
| can be tilled and churned more easily however a bin | | | | should be ready in about 3 months. |
| simply looks more orderly in a garden. Bins can also | | | | When applying compost; timing and method have a |
| better provide the moisture necessary for | | | | lot to do with the age of the pile and the degree of |
| composting to occur, as well as good temperature | | | | composting that has already occurred. If fully |
| control. You will also find that if you begin with a | | | | matured, this pile will be rich in nutrients and the |
| compost pile / pit, that it also will attract earthworms | | | | scent will be musky and earthy. If half completed, |
| which will assist with breaking down the ingredients | | | | the smell and look will be far less rich and bits of fiber |
| of the compost pile. | | | | will still be seen in the pile. You should probably let it |
| Make sure you select a sunny spot for you project | | | | finish maturing at this point. You usually want to apply |
| and start by placing a layer of plant waste; straw, | | | | compost about month or so before you plant in |
| hay, leaves, branches, old vegetables and fruits are | | | | order to let it properly mix with the existing soil. |
| excellent to use. Add a layer of manure and bedding, | | | | Store or cover your compost if it is to be kept for a |
| approximately 3 inches deep. Add a layer of top soil | | | | long or cold period of time. |
| about ¼ inch thick (topsoil which has urine in it | | | | |