How to Build a Compost Pile

Here's how to do it:

#1 - Prepare the area/container - you can go out and buy a fancy compost bin (there are many to choose from at garden centers) or you can simply make a "pile" which is far more economical and will work just as well.

To make a pile you simply need 4 sides and a covering. You can use 4 similar sized pieces of wood, nailed together or you can use breeze blocks to make an enclosure for your waste. You'll need to leave a detachable area in the front so that you can easily scoop out the compost.

If using bricks simply leave a small gap. If using wood, you can do the same or leave the whole front side loose so that you can easily remove the whole plank of wood to access your compost once ready.

Tip: Wood tends to be the ideal material as it is completely eco-friendly, economical and far easier to put together than a brick-sided pile.

#2 - Add your drainage material - Once you have your "container" ready then line the bottom with biodegradable material that will help absorb the compost faster. You can use straw, twigs or newspaper.

#3 - Heat things up - In order for your waste to turn into compost, you need heat. You can do this by adding a thin layer of already mature soil (which you buy at the garden center or from another area of the garden) on top of the first layers of waste. This will help trap the heat in and your waste will compost faster.

#4 - Cover and Turn - Another way to keep the temperature high in your pile is by covering it up. You can use old potato sacks, a sheet of plastic, or a thick blanket. Your compost will take approximately 3 or so months to degrade. You can help things along by turning the pile once or twice a month. Simply uncover and using a large, thick stick or shovel simply "turn" the compost to distribute the heat.

#5 - Things you can compost - Shredded newspaper, uncooked vegetables and peelings, grass/lawn, old plants, hedge clippings, animal waste (chickens, dogs, cats), weeds, rotten fruit or fruit remains.

As people begin to be more environmentally and economically conscious, composting is becoming more and more popular. However, for many it's still a new concept. If you're interested in learning more about this green practice, here are a few composting basics to get you started.

What is Composting?

Composting is essentially decomposing. The leaves that collect in the corner of your yard decompose. If you facilitate the process, then it's called composting. Composting involves mixing your yard and household organic waste, like food scraps, in a container and providing conditions that encourage or facilitate decomposition.

Why Compost?

Composting is a very environmentally friendly practice. It reduces the amount of garbage we toss into landfills by 20-30% and as we get closer and closer to running out of space, composting becomes more and more important.

In addition to making space in the landfills, composting provides you with a source of chemical free fertilizer, which you can use for gardening and soil conditioner.

Materials to Get Started

To begin composting you'll need a few things to get started. You can find many of these items at your local hardware or gardening store. You can also buy home composting kits only. These kits come with everything you need and provide a relatively stink free composting experience.

You'll need a compost bin. The materials will be decomposing here so if you're keeping the compost in your home, you'll want a lid as well.

You'll also need a pitchfork to turn and mix the compost daily.

Finally, you'll need to find the right place to put your compost. You can create a pile outside in a well-drained area or you can place it in a warm, dark location inside your home.

But what about the actual compost? Can you toss anything in there? Are there right and wrong ingredients? The answer is yes, the ideal compost recipe includes:

* 1 Part Greens - include grass clippings, kitchen scraps including eggshells and coffee grounds. (Avoid using any meat, fat, grease, oils, dairy products, bones, or animal droppings in your compost.)
* 25 Parts Browns - include dried leaves, straw, wood chips, paper bags and drier lint.
* Water - Keep the pile moist but not soaking
* Air
* And time

Turn the ingredients every day for about two weeks. In two weeks time you should have a powerful pile of compost to place in your garden, household plants or flowerbeds. Happy composting!

We all know that compost is good for our gardens as it adds much needed nutrients to the soil. That in turn helps to build disease-resistant soil and enable our plants to thrive.

As more of us are becoming aware of the value of composting and the need to save money, instead of buying bags of the synthetic type we are deciding to make our own.

Making your own compost is not that difficult however there are some common composting mistakes that we need to avoid.

1. Adding The Wrong Things

There are a lot of things that you can add to your compost bin that will make excellect compost. However, there are some that you should avoid for a variety of reasons. There are some that will attract various wild creatures or which will take a long time to decompose. You don't want to include things like large tree branches or chunks of wood or indeed any treated wood. You also want to avoid adding things such as meat, bones, leftover fatty foods, any pernicious weeds or weeds which have seed heads.

2. The Wrong Mix Ratio

Although it doesn't need to be an exact science when you are creating your compost pile you should aim to get your green waste and brown waste ratios about right. As a general guide if you layer brown, then soil, green, then soil, and repeat you will be getting it about right. If you prefer to do it in a more "casual" way when you add your vegetable scraps to the mix throw in some shredded paper or dead leaves on top and then add a shovel full of dirt.

3. Not Breaking Up Large Items or Leaves

Your compost pile needs to breathe. You will find that when you add dead leaves they will mat down which makes for a dense pile that can be really hard to turn. So I would suggest that, before you add them, you mulch them with your lawnmower or with your weed eater. As I am sure you realise the larger an item, the longer it is going to take for it to decompose. So try and break larger items down which in turn will also making turning your compost pile a lot easier.

4. Leaving Your Compost Pile

Some people just throw all their waste into the compost bin and then do nothing. Of couse over time it will break down into something which you can use but you are going to have to wait some time! If you want to be able to use it then you need to ensure that you are watering the mix when it is dry so that it is just barely damp. You also make to make sure that you are turning it on a regular basis because the more often you turn it, the faster it will heat up and then decompose.

So in summary it's not that difficult when it comes to making your own compost. Simply start by collecting your kitchen scraps, rake up and then shred your dead leaves and start layering.

Make sure that you manage your compost properly by ensuring you keep it damp. Then keep turning it and you will soon have plenty of compost to keep your garden growing!