How Do You Compost For Beginners

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Composting for Beginners: A Guide to Creating Rich, Organic Fertilizer

Composting is a natural process of breaking down organic materials, such as food scraps and yard waste, into a nutrient-rich soil amendment called compost. Adding compost to your garden soil improves its structure, fertility, and water retention. It’s a great way to reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill, and it’s also a rewarding way to garden organically.

What Can You Compost?

  • Fruit and vegetable scraps
  • Coffee grounds and filters
  • Tea bags
  • Eggshells
  • Grass clippings
  • Leaves
  • Twigs and small branches
  • Newspaper and cardboard (shredded)

What Can’t You Compost?

  • Meat, fish, or bones
  • Dairy products
  • Diseased plants
  • Pet waste
  • Plastics, metals, or glass

How to Start a Compost Pile

  1. Choose a location for your compost pile that is in a shady spot and has good drainage.
  2. Start with a layer of “brown” materials, such as leaves or straw, to provide a base.
  3. Add a layer of “green” materials, such as kitchen scraps or grass clippings, on top of the brown materials.
  4. Continue alternating layers of brown and green materials until the pile is about 3 feet high.
  5. Water the pile lightly and turn it with a pitchfork or shovel every few days to aerate it and speed up the composting process.

Troubleshooting Your Compost Pile

  • If your compost pile is not heating up, it may be too dry or too wet. Add more green materials to add moisture, or add more brown materials to absorb excess moisture.
  • If your compost pile is smelling bad, it may be too wet or too anaerobic. Turn the pile more frequently to aerate it, or add more brown materials to absorb excess moisture.
  • If your compost pile is not breaking down quickly enough, it may be too cold. Move the pile to a warmer spot, or add more green materials to add heat.

When Your Compost is Ready

Compost is ready to use when it is dark brown in color, crumbly in texture, and has a sweet, earthy smell. It should also be free of any recognizable bits of food or yard waste. Compost can be used to amend garden soil, top-dress plants, or make potting mixes.

Composting is a great way to reduce your environmental impact, improve your garden soil, and grow healthier plants. With a little effort, you can easily create your own compost pile and start enjoying the benefits of this natural fertilizer.

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