A Beginner's Guide to Composting

The word “compost” comes from Latin where it meant “to put together.” This is what we do when we compost—we put together compostable materials to make a great soil amendment.

You really can’t find a better soil amendment than compost. 
It loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils retain water.  Gardens that are composted produce higher yields of healthier fruits, vegetables and flowers.  It costs next to nothing to compost, aside from a tiny initial investment in a compost pail or bin.   There are many types of bins available, be sure to choose one that will keep pests out if you plan on composting kitchen scraps.  

Compost is a mix of different materials:
•GREEN: Nitrogen rich kitchen scraps such as fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds and eggshells and yard waste such as grass clippings, green leaves and weeds. 
•BROWN: Nitrogen poor yard waste such as dry leaves, woody twigs,  paper and straw.
•MOISTURE: dry materials won’t compost!

Start by choosing a location that has good drainage and is well shaded in the summer. 

To build the compost, start with a thick layer of twigs or coarse mulch at the base for drainage.  Then follow the easy A,B,C to build a heap layer upon layer.

A.  Start with a green layer of kitchen scraps and green yard waste.
B.  Cover with a layer of brown yard waste, ensuring that no food scraps are left exposed.
C.  Moisten well and then repeat!
*note: your compost pile may benefit from a compost activator. (Espoma Bio-accelerator).  Activators get the pile working (decomposing), and speed the process. Each time you add a layer to your pile, sprinkle on some activator and water well.

It’s best to use it as soon as it is ready because the longer it sits, the fewer nutrients it will contain. Your finished product is a marvelous, rich, and crumbly layer of organic matter.  Put your compost to work as a potting mix or soil amendment!  You will find it satisfying and addictive!