Difference between revisions of "Build a Compost Pile"
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#* The reason the pile must be easily accessible is because you will be using it — a lot. You will add to, turn and remove the finished compost from the pile, and you do not want it to be a chore just getting to the pile! | #* The reason the pile must be easily accessible is because you will be using it — a lot. You will add to, turn and remove the finished compost from the pile, and you do not want it to be a chore just getting to the pile! | ||
#* You will also need to add water during dry spells, so locate the pile within reach of the hose. It is important to locate the pile away from all structures, since the composting process is one of decay and rotting your house, shed or fence should be avoided. | #* You will also need to add water during dry spells, so locate the pile within reach of the hose. It is important to locate the pile away from all structures, since the composting process is one of decay and rotting your house, shed or fence should be avoided. | ||
| − | #*Check your municipality for local ordinances against placing compost piles close to lot lines; you may not be able to simply place your compost pile wherever you want.<ref>http://web.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/building.cfm</ref> | + | #*Check your municipality for local ordinances against placing compost piles close to lot lines; you may not be able to simply place your compost pile wherever you want.<ref name="rf1">http://web.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/building.cfm</ref> |
| − | #Start your compost pile during the right time of the year. While you can set up your compost pile during any season, certain times are better than others. During the spring or summer, high-nitrogen materials are ever-present, but not that much carbon material exists. Fall is when both high-nitrogen (lawn trimmings) and high-carbon materials (dead leaves) are plentiful.<ref | + | #Start your compost pile during the right time of the year. While you can set up your compost pile during any season, certain times are better than others. During the spring or summer, high-nitrogen materials are ever-present, but not that much carbon material exists. Fall is when both high-nitrogen (lawn trimmings) and high-carbon materials (dead leaves) are plentiful.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Decide how much containment you want. The fastest [[Build a Compost Container|compost pile to build]] is a simple mound — just throw everything to be composted into a heap and let it rot. Or, you can enclose the pile with rocks, boards, concrete chunks or fencing. | #Decide how much containment you want. The fastest [[Build a Compost Container|compost pile to build]] is a simple mound — just throw everything to be composted into a heap and let it rot. Or, you can enclose the pile with rocks, boards, concrete chunks or fencing. | ||
#*If you decide you want a faster, more efficient means of composting, try using a [[Build a Compost Bin|composting bin]] and introduce your own [[Make a Worm Compost System|vermicompost system]]. Because of the enclosure, compost bins are generally more efficient at breaking down organic materials than compost piles. | #*If you decide you want a faster, more efficient means of composting, try using a [[Build a Compost Bin|composting bin]] and introduce your own [[Make a Worm Compost System|vermicompost system]]. Because of the enclosure, compost bins are generally more efficient at breaking down organic materials than compost piles. | ||
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#Know what not to put in your pile. You can compost anything that rots — except greasy or diseased plants. Foods like cheese or meat do not decay properly and will lead to rodent and non-beneficial insect problems. | #Know what not to put in your pile. You can compost anything that rots — except greasy or diseased plants. Foods like cheese or meat do not decay properly and will lead to rodent and non-beneficial insect problems. | ||
#* Diseased plants are best composted in a container where the heating process can kill the pathogens. A compost pile heats unevenly, unless you turn it every few days being diligent in making sure that all plant material spends time in the center of the pile. So, it’s easiest to just leave the diseased plants out and avoid the possibility of spreading trouble in your garden. | #* Diseased plants are best composted in a container where the heating process can kill the pathogens. A compost pile heats unevenly, unless you turn it every few days being diligent in making sure that all plant material spends time in the center of the pile. So, it’s easiest to just leave the diseased plants out and avoid the possibility of spreading trouble in your garden. | ||
| − | #Aim for a balance of carbon (dead/brown/dry) and nitrogen (green) material. It is usually recommended that you add 60% carbon to 40% nitrogen.<ref>http://www.homecompostingmadeeasy.com/carbonnitrogenratio.html</ref> Layer your materials with a slight mist from a garden hose to dampen (do not wet or soak) each layer. | + | #Aim for a balance of carbon (dead/brown/dry) and nitrogen (green) material. It is usually recommended that you add 60% carbon to 40% nitrogen.<ref name="rf2">http://www.homecompostingmadeeasy.com/carbonnitrogenratio.html</ref> Layer your materials with a slight mist from a garden hose to dampen (do not wet or soak) each layer. |
#*If all you have is green plant material (like grass), you can add newspaper as the carbon source. Other sources of compostable carbon include: | #*If all you have is green plant material (like grass), you can add newspaper as the carbon source. Other sources of compostable carbon include: | ||
#**Straw | #**Straw | ||
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#**Sawdust and wood chips | #**Sawdust and wood chips | ||
#**Small branches/twigs | #**Small branches/twigs | ||
| − | #**Paper towel<ref>http://www.compostjunkie.com/compost-ingredients.html</ref> | + | #**Paper towel<ref name="rf3">http://www.compostjunkie.com/compost-ingredients.html</ref> |
#Decide whether you want to shred your materials. It is up to you whether you shred the material or not. If you want a faster composting cycle, then shredding speeds the process up considerably. Shredding also makes for a neater looking pile and one that is easier to turn. | #Decide whether you want to shred your materials. It is up to you whether you shred the material or not. If you want a faster composting cycle, then shredding speeds the process up considerably. Shredding also makes for a neater looking pile and one that is easier to turn. | ||
| − | #*What does shredding do? Shredding creates a bigger surface area for organic materials, thereby exposing them to more bacterial invasion.<ref>http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundamentals/needs_particle_size.htm</ref> Larger pieces of organic material impede aerobic decomposition. | + | #*What does shredding do? Shredding creates a bigger surface area for organic materials, thereby exposing them to more bacterial invasion.<ref name="rf4">http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundamentals/needs_particle_size.htm</ref> Larger pieces of organic material impede aerobic decomposition. |
#*Do not shred highly vegetative or moist organic materials. These materials become too soggy. Their moisture contents make aerobic decomposition a lot more tricky. | #*Do not shred highly vegetative or moist organic materials. These materials become too soggy. Their moisture contents make aerobic decomposition a lot more tricky. | ||
#Start layering. This part is the most fun. Every time you add to your compost pile, try to add in layers. There are three basic layers in a compost pile, and putting them down together and in the right order is important: | #Start layering. This part is the most fun. Every time you add to your compost pile, try to add in layers. There are three basic layers in a compost pile, and putting them down together and in the right order is important: | ||
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=== Maintaining the Compost Pile=== | === Maintaining the Compost Pile=== | ||
#Occasionally “stir” the pile. This is done by lifting the middle to the outer edges and the outer edges to the middle using a pitchfork. Also, water if dry. This will ensure proper and even distribution of the decomposition process. | #Occasionally “stir” the pile. This is done by lifting the middle to the outer edges and the outer edges to the middle using a pitchfork. Also, water if dry. This will ensure proper and even distribution of the decomposition process. | ||
| − | #Maintain the pile. You want to keep the center of the pile hot and evenly moist. Whenever the center of the pile dips below {{convert|110|F}}, use a shovel to stir the pile and turn organic material around.<ref | + | #Maintain the pile. You want to keep the center of the pile hot and evenly moist. Whenever the center of the pile dips below {{convert|110|F}}, use a shovel to stir the pile and turn organic material around.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* You will know if the pile is hot, because in cooler weather you will see steam. In warmer weather, you can feel the heat when you turn the pile. | #* You will know if the pile is hot, because in cooler weather you will see steam. In warmer weather, you can feel the heat when you turn the pile. | ||
#* Remember that too much water will drown the microbes and chase away the worms; this can also cause the pile to get a "rotten" odor. If the pile gets too dry, the decay process stops. Aim for evenly moist. | #* Remember that too much water will drown the microbes and chase away the worms; this can also cause the pile to get a "rotten" odor. If the pile gets too dry, the decay process stops. Aim for evenly moist. | ||
