This article is titled Compost Made Simple for a reason:: because it is!!!
Why is composting so simple? What most people don’t tell you is that composting of organic materials happens naturally in your compost pile, regardless of how much attention or care you put in.
With the proper mixture of water, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen, microorganisms are allowed to break down organic matter to produce compost. There are so many ways to create compost and compost piles, anyone who says there is only one way to do things is not being straight with you. Each gardener has his and her own ways of creating fertile compost to add to their garden. Here are some super-simple ways to create the nutrient rich compost you and your garden desire.
Simple Compost Pile:: Compost Made Simple Method 1
The compost pile is not only simple, but effective as well
Throwing your organic waste into a pile is the first compost made simple method. Don’t worry about building a bin or container; just throw everything into a heap. In your heap you can include all of your yard waste including plants, leaves, grass clippings, and pulled weeds. After you have formed this base feel free to include kitchen scraps including old fruit and vegetables, egg shells, paper towels and newspapers, but never include dairy or meats. All you need after this is patience. Compost will begin to form at the bottom of the pile. As decomposition takes effect, bacteria and worms will make their way up from the bottom and after a while, the top of the pile will begin to compost.
Simple Shovel Compost:: Compost Made Simple Method 2
The shovel method is also a great way to create compost. If you have only a small amount of kitchen waste, this may be the method for you. Find a spot in your yard you think needs enriching and dig a hole. Into this hole you can put your kitchen scraps and chop them up with the shovel, covering them as you go. In time, these scraps will become compost, without any extra work on your part. Feel free to do this with your garden beds as well and next year you will have much richer soil.
Simple Straw Bale Compost:: Compost Made Easy Method 3
Straw bale compost is simple, effective, and sustainable.
I love this system so much, I went ahead and wrote a related post on how to do it. Check out the straw bale compost post when you get the chance. Here’s the jist…
If you have any straw bales lying around, you can use them to make a highly effective compost bin. Stack the bales 2 high on three sides, making a simple enclosure so that you can store your waste. Ten bales should do the trick. Straw bales are great not only for holding the waste, but also retaining moisture and heat, speeding up the process. Layer your yard waste and table scraps with soil within the bales. In time, the bales will decompose along with your kitchen and yard waste; perfect to include in your new straw bale system made from new bales.
In all of these methods, the ingredients and how they mix are of the utmost importance. You should always include fresh green matter, dried brown organic matter such as leaves, and soil. Green matter should include grass clippings, kitchen scraps, weeds, or flowers. The dried brown matter includes sawdust, newspaper, paper towels, or leaves. In place of soil, feel free to add manure or old compost to give your compost an extra boost by increasing the amount of microorganisms and worms to the mix.
Creating compost with these three organic materials in balance is a sure-fire way to create nutrient rich compost to put your garden in equilibrium. Follow the tips here in compost made simple, and you can’t lose!
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Won’t the pile go all smelly unless it’s properly managed or got plenty of air in it?
Keeping the compost pile in a place where it can get rain is definitely best. I have seen piles go bad in more arid climates, but living in the PNW I don’t have to worry about it too much. Good point though.
Kitchen scraps were frequently taken out to the wildlife or composted.
i’ve never thot a lot about compost, but as i get older, my mind keeps turning toward decay. can i throw in old clams from a can? can i throw in the can, too? can i throw in my empty cigarette boxes?
Hmm is anyone else having problems with
the pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.
Ina wanted to tell you about..Ina