A garden without a compost pile is considered incomplete. And
looking at the importance of a compost pile, one understands why.
Compost is responsible for feeding the soil with micro-organisms that
help plants stay healthy. By adding nutrients to the soil, it is also a
fertilizer, mulch and a soil conditioner all rolled into one. In
essence, compost is king when it comes to gardening.
Besides its values stretching into an exhausting infinity, a pile of compost helps in the drainage of clay soils and retention of water in sandy soils. Additionally, through recycling of yard and kitchen waste, composting can reduce ones contribution to the waste streams creating, in turn, the world's best soil amendment. Below is a general step-by-step guide on how to make a rich garden compost pile.
For starters, choose a preferable site that is out of plain view. Choosing an area that is handy to ones kitchen and garden, yet out of sight creates an aura of hygiene. Compost piles are known to reek of foul gases, while breaking down that is, which can be quite unpleasant especially to a kitchen surrounding. Hence it is advisable to choose a site that is away from the kitchen and out of sight.
Get a composting bin. Whereas piles of grass clippings, leaves and other yard wastes can suffice to make compost, bins make the entire process neater and presentable. Bins simply contain compost in one place thus effectively aiding the making of a compost pile. Then again, one can use simple wire columns to corral compost for easy stiffening. However, this is not really necessary.
With a composting bin, it is easier to turn the compost pile. And by leaving it open, one can add more compost materials as and when they are available. But covering the top during wanting weather - read rainy climate - is necessary. It is advisable though to have a three bin system that allows one to turn compost from one bin to another; later storing finished compost to the last one when it is ready for use.
Elements that make compost are dry leaves and green garden debris; it is imperative thus to balance one part green to two parts of dry leaves materials. This helps the compost breakdown much faster. Throw in a shovelful of finished compost to help kick-start the microbial activity, then mix and turn to generate considerable heat that will create an equal balance to the pile. From then on, turn the compost once a week - for two months - to increase airflow and the decomposition rate. And that's it!
Besides its values stretching into an exhausting infinity, a pile of compost helps in the drainage of clay soils and retention of water in sandy soils. Additionally, through recycling of yard and kitchen waste, composting can reduce ones contribution to the waste streams creating, in turn, the world's best soil amendment. Below is a general step-by-step guide on how to make a rich garden compost pile.
For starters, choose a preferable site that is out of plain view. Choosing an area that is handy to ones kitchen and garden, yet out of sight creates an aura of hygiene. Compost piles are known to reek of foul gases, while breaking down that is, which can be quite unpleasant especially to a kitchen surrounding. Hence it is advisable to choose a site that is away from the kitchen and out of sight.
Get a composting bin. Whereas piles of grass clippings, leaves and other yard wastes can suffice to make compost, bins make the entire process neater and presentable. Bins simply contain compost in one place thus effectively aiding the making of a compost pile. Then again, one can use simple wire columns to corral compost for easy stiffening. However, this is not really necessary.
With a composting bin, it is easier to turn the compost pile. And by leaving it open, one can add more compost materials as and when they are available. But covering the top during wanting weather - read rainy climate - is necessary. It is advisable though to have a three bin system that allows one to turn compost from one bin to another; later storing finished compost to the last one when it is ready for use.
Elements that make compost are dry leaves and green garden debris; it is imperative thus to balance one part green to two parts of dry leaves materials. This helps the compost breakdown much faster. Throw in a shovelful of finished compost to help kick-start the microbial activity, then mix and turn to generate considerable heat that will create an equal balance to the pile. From then on, turn the compost once a week - for two months - to increase airflow and the decomposition rate. And that's it!
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Great post. You and your garden seem so serene. I like your plans to grow trees. I have redbud trees growing in the garden around the mature redbud tree. I’m trying to figure out the best time to transplant the seedlings to other places on the property.Gurgaon Flowers
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