Create Your Own Compost

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Linnea Thornton

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Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller

This simple compost bin doesn’t take up a lot of space, and it can be used over and over for years.

These days we all want to cut down on what we send to the junk heap, and what better way is there than to start composting? Not only is it a great way to recycle your food and yard scraps, the compost you create can be added right back into your garden – helping build a better, less-erosive soil that retains moisture and nutrients and releases them slowly over time.

Composting may sound difficult, but once you learn a little about it, you’ll find the compost does most of the work. The first step is to pick a sunny location away from your house to start your compost pile or bin. It should be fenced off from scavengers or pets, as well as near a convenient source of water. (This nearby water source becomes more important if you live in a dry climate.) If you live in a cold climate, you might need a larger space to compost so you can accommodate a larger volume of material, because your compost needs to be able to generate enough heat for the materials to break down.

The next step is to decide whether you want a compost bin or a pile. If your municipality allows compost piles, it’s a great way to go: You don’t have to plan much, and it takes little effort and money. The drawback to a compost pile is safety – piles can be easily scavenged, and the bacteria can actually be fatal. The downside to bins is that they take a little more effort to build or buy, but the upside is that they can speed up the composting process.

Once you’ve got the first two steps down, you’ll have to consider your compost ingredients. Here’s where a little bit of chemistry comes in, but don’t get nervous. The key is just to get a good balance of the four ingredients: nitrogen, carbon, water and air. Mixed together correctly, your compost will “cook” just right and give you a great addition to your garden.

Warnings

Don’t add animal parts (meat or bones) or starchy materials (pasta or rice) to your compost. You’ll attract pests, as well as pets.

Tips

It’s easy to make your own compost bin out of wood scraps, chicken wire or even a garbage can with holes in the sides and bottom.

Faqs

Q: What kind of nutrients am I creating when I compost, and how do I know I’m creating a good balance of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus?
A: The materials you compost contain varying amounts of nutrients due to the different scraps you add. For example, banana skins have a lot of potassium, tea grounds are relatively high in nitrogen, and cantaloupe rinds have good phosphorus. The wider your diet, the wider the variety of nutrients in your scraps and the greater the likelihood you’ll provide all the major and trace nutrients for your compost.
Q: What do I do if there’s a bad smell?
A: This could mean you’ve got too much moisture in the mix. Add some dry materials – straw or dried grass is ideal.

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