| Compost Page 3 |
| STEP 1: Select Compost Bin Make, create, or purchase a compost bin. (See next page for a short list of possible compost bins.) |
| STEP 2: Determine Bin Location Select a dry shaded location, away from acidic soil, where the compost will not overheat from sun exposure or become waterlogged by rain. Bins should have an open bottom, so as to allow excess water to drain out and to let decomposers (worms, bacteria, fungi, and molds) in from the surrounding soils. -If possible set aside a barrel or heap of browns that will be accessible and available year round. |
| STEP 3: Add Material to Your Bin As material is available add it to your compost combining three-parts brown material to every one-part green material. Be sure to soak pile like a "wrung out sponge" with water and replace the cover that would normally accompany your bin, or of you do not have one, use a sheet of wood, some plastic, a tarp, or a section of rug. This will protect your bin from sun and rain. Excess water may cause the compost to give off an unpleasant odor. An imbalance of greens to brown or a lack of oxygen will also cause an unpleasant odor. (See STEP 4) A healthy compost has a good and healthy smell. |
| STEP 4: Turn Your Compost Inside-Out With a shovel or a pitchfork turn compost to promote aeration, hydration, decomposer efficiency and livelihood, and to kill off weeds and other roots. |
| STEP 5: Remove Compost Soil and Use Composting can take anywhere between two months and a year. It generally only takes up to 2-3 months. The duration all depends on what you are composting and the level of care you give to your compost. You will be guaranteed fresh nutrient rich soil and fertilizer at the end of the process. They can be mixed with garden soils or spread over areas where grass is sparse. If you still have large particles in your compost at any time during the process, beginning, middle, or end, they can be sifted out using a screen like in the photo below. This way you can separate soil without having to wait for the rest to break down. |
| Here is the Step by Step Process to Composting |
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