Compost Compost is a decomposed mixture of household leftovers and garden scraps. It makes a great natural plant food and doesn’t cost a thing. Compost will improve any type of garden soil and it won’t burn your plants. It’s great stuff and well worth the effort. There are lots of composters that you can buy at garden or hardware stores. Ask an adult to help you choose a sunny spot that gets some exposure to rain, which will help break down the plant material. Pick a spot close to the edge of your garden or yard but not too close to your house. You might want to make your own composter or start a compost pile. They are simple. Try one or more of the following: Make a tube of fine chicken wire or snow fencing. or . . . Make a wooden box with no top or bottom.
or . . . Make a square of concrete blocks or bricks leaving a few small gaps to let air flow through. or . . . Use an aluminium garbage can with some holes cut in and around the bottom to let excess moisture drain away. Always ask an adult to assist you if you are using their tools. Whichever type of composter you decide to make they all have the same requirements: Make some holes in the composter at ground level or near the bottom to allow air to circulate through the pile. Bury the bottom of the container at least one foot (30 cm) in the ground to prevent animals from digging under and into it. Lay on a 6-inch (15 cm) base of twigs, brush and other course garden refuse to help air reach the bottom of the pile. Spread on 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) of kitchen and garden refuse: leaves, grass or hedge clippings, egg shells, coffee grounds, tea bags, vegetable peelings, hay and fruit scraps. Don’t compost meat scraps or bones, fish or grease; they will attract unwanted animals and insects. To help compost rot faster add a little manure or fertilizer and a shovel full of soil to each time you put in about shovel full of compostable stuff. Don’t add too much green stuff all at once, like lettuce, or it will get slimy and smelly.
Occasionally sprinkle the pile with water just to wet it a little. Don’t flood it! In a few days the pile should begin to get warmer. In cold weather you might even see steam rising from the pile. If you need to speed up the composting so it will be ready to use in 4 weeks turn the pile with a garden fork every 2 or 3 days. You could start a new pile beside the existing one and move all the material from one pile to the other. Rotate the less rotted stuff from the side to the middle of the new pile. A pile that hasn’t been turned over should be ready in a year. Compost is ready to use when the mixture has cooled, turns dark brown and is crumbly.
Note: A properly made compost pile shouldn’t offend your nose. If your pile smells awful, fork it apart and re-pile it because it needs more airflow. |
