Organic compost is easily made with materials that are readily available. The natural process of decomposition is enhanced, therefore accelerated. A balance of wet and dry material that is aerated will result in compost. Leaves, grass clippings, kitchen scraps - other than meats and fat, even paper and cardboard can be used. Most anything organic can be incorporated into compost.
The space and construction materials you have available, and how much physical work you want to do will determine how you make organic compost. Outdoor compost piles or pits require no building materials at all. A slow pile is easy to start and add to as you acquire materials. It requires little maintenance. As the name implies, it does not process very quickly, and during the process can loose nutrients to leaching. It can also be odorous and attract flies and animals. A hot pile is started when you have a lot of material to add all at once. In order to keep it working, it must be aerated well and often. A garden fork works well for this. The excessive heat will kill weed seeds and pathogens, which is always a good thing for organic compost.
Pits are quick and easy with no maintenance, but will only handle small amounts. Piles and pits can be set up in a corner of the garden, or any other location that is suitable. A suitable location is one that is easy to get the raw materials to, and to transport the finished organic compost from. Some shelter from wind, and exposure to the sun, is desirable to aid in the heating of decomposition.
There is no shortage of plans for different compost bins and boxes made from materials as varied as wire, wood, brick and plastic. This is definitely a neater way to create organic compost, and keeps animals and rain out. The container helps to keep heat in and if turned frequently, decomposition can be rapid. Many of the plastic bins available take up very little space, and can be rolled around so that the compost gets aerated easily. Even garbage bags and garbage cans can be used, but some care needs to be taken with these to control smell, flies, and keep them from just becoming a slimy mess.
If you really don't want to create a separate organic compost system, you can just spread the material over the ground to be covered and work it in. This method requires that everything gets worked in before it has decomposed. It will be longer before the benefits are noticed as the decomposition actually takes place in the soil. Ideally, this should be done as a rotation on part of the garden that is fallow for the season. The soil will then be conditioned and fertilized for next year.
One last method of making organic compost is to use worms. This easy method can be done indoors as there is no smell. You can add material continuously so it is a good way to compost food wastes. This method results in a product that is very nutrient rich.
Composting occurs naturally, with or without us. The process can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. It is a good idea to do some planning so you are satisfied with your efforts. Whatever way you choose to go about it, organic gardening is very much about compost.
| Price : $197.49
