How hard is it to compost?

Question

Interested in starting to compost. How hard is it?

Answer 1

don't put meat in the pile

Answer 2

There are five basic steps you can follow to create a successful composting area in your backyard.

Start by creating an area or bin that is in shade or partial sun.  This helps get in place the elements you'll need to move the composting process along -- air circulation, moisture, temperature variances, etc.

Next step is to begin adding material to your soon to be compost pile.  This can be anything that was once a PLANT or produced from a plant.  Grass clippings, leaves, banana peels, coffee grounds, old lettuce, bread, corn husks and so on.  Try to grind or cut this matter to pieces no larger than three inches.

Third you want to keep raking and moving your composting material around to improve heat exchange and let the materials better rotate throughout the mix you're creating.  Additional items can be added during this process.

As the material reaches the compost stage you can begin using this around your yard and garden.  Compost this is ready will have a dark, uniform and earthy look about it of a soil like nature.

Finally maintain the steps above to keep the flow nature of your compost pile at peak efficiency.

The sites below give you several options on selecting a composting pile method that is best suited to your location, yard and needs.  These range from the bin method (mostly described above) to a trench style approach.

Good luck!  Keep us... uh... "posted" on how this turns out for you.

Answer 3

It’s simple:

Basically just take your scraps and spoiled things (fruit, veggies, bread, coffee, cleaned egg shells, old prepared rice, salsa, etc.) and mix them in with grass clippings, leafs, plant cuttings (if there not diseased), etc.  Layer them in a 3X3 or 4X4 pile and water it.  Throw in a little fresh dirt (for microbes) & herbivore manure (if you've got it).  That's all there is to it if you want a long term pile (6-12 months).  If you want a faster result you will need to turn the pile over every 2-7 days (for aeration) and keep it moist.  

You can also compost with worms in your house over the winter.  You use red wigglers that you can get from a bait store.  You put them in a plastic container with lots of shredded newspaper and just add your kitchen waste as you get it.  

Here’s some links that will help:

http://www.solidwaste.org/spokanesolidwa...

http://www.compostinfo.com/

http://digitalseed.com/composter/bins/pa...

http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4...

Good Luck!!

Answer 4

To add to the answer above. If you use the bin method, drill small holes in the bottom of the bin and place a tray of some kind underneath. This will catch all the drips from watering and the "tea" is EXCELLENT for the garden.