How to Start a Compost Pile in Your Backyard
Most people like the idea of being able to compost. They dream big dreams of being able to have their own gardens and of fertilizing them with compost that they, themselves, have worked hard to create. But only a small percentage of people who talk about gardening and composting actually attempt to achieve their dreams. Why is that? One of the biggest reasons why people don’t have gardens and compost piles is simply because they don’t know how to begin.
Composting
Composting is a very simple idea. It’s when plant matter has been allowed to break down over time in order to create a fertilizer. The resulting compound is extremely nutritious for the fruits and vegetables that you’d put in your garden, helping them grow larger, and much more quickly, than they would if you were not to use any form of composting. When you compost, you’re not only helping yourself to have a gorgeous garden, but you’re also helping the environment, because instead of throwing those unused bits of food that you didn’t eat into the garbage, and letting it go to the local landfill, you’re actually putting it back into the ground.
How to Start
Starting a compost pile is actually extremely easy. The first thing that you need to have is a place to compost. Some people prefer to use a special bin that is designed specifically for those that want to house the compost, but this is certainly not a necessity. A bin does, however, make the view of the composting pile less offensive to neighbors. If you don’t have a bin, but you do want to do something to keep your composting contained to one area, which is a great idea if you have young children or curious animals, then you can use some stiff wire mesh. A simple column made from mesh about eight feet long and four feet wide can easily be secured to create a place for your composting to sit while it’s doing its work. If you don’t want to put your composting into a bin or to make a containment unit for it, you can still compost. Just pick a section of your yard that is out of the way of prying eyes and that isn’t situated on a walking path or play area and clear it of all debris.
Adding Things
Once you’ve got your area set up, it’s time to start adding things! Contrary to some people’s beliefs, you can’t add just anything to your compost pile. There are many things that are not to ever be included in a compost pile, These include things like candy, man-made products like aluminum foil and napkins, and meat. If you add meat to your compost pile, you will have to deal with a very unpleasant smell that will be nearly impossible to eliminate, and it may also attract animals, so never include meat in your composting.
It’s a good idea to start your compost pile with the two basics: greens and browns. Greens are made up of garden debris, such as grass clippings and any bushes or flowers that you’ve cut back. Browns are things like dried leaves or dead plants that you have had to remove. The green plants are actually very high in nitrogen, while the brown materials are much higher in carbon. When you mix these two things together, they create a symphony of delicious food for your plants. If you add in too many greens, however, you’re going to have a very smelly compost pile, so make sure that you add as many browns as you can. Also, avoid putting in any plants that have been treated with any sort of pesticide as well. The best way to balance the compost pile is to go one part green, and two parts brown. Simply add one shovel full of green material to your compost pile, and then add two of brown materials. This way the compost pile is nutritious but not smelly.
Experts say that you should make sure that your pile is three feet by three feet by three feet. The reason is because piles of this size have been shown to heat much more quickly than larger piles. Once you’ve got a pile this size, add in a little soil or some compost from your last batch. This will help to jump start all of the microbes in the new pile and get them doing what they do best – breaking down your compost pile into usable material.
The only other thing you need in your pile is moisture. The right moisture level will leave your pile feeling like a sponge that has been wrung out. If you have too much water, you may have to deal with a very smelly pile. As a rule of thumb, check the moisture level once a week and, if necessary, add some more browns to dry the pile out or water it if it’s a bit too dry. Turn the pile once a week and, in about two months, you’ll have beautiful compost for your garden.