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How to Compost Correctly – Some Helpful Tips for Making Compost the Right Way

How to Compost Correctly – Some Helpful Tips for Making Compost the Right Way

Using good compost will help you have a much more productive garden. Good compost will help the soil retain moisture and will also add valuable nutrients. You could just throw yard clippings and kitchen waste into a pile in your backyard, and eventually it will break down and decompose, but if you follow these tips you will be able to make high quality compost in an efficient manner.

Using a Compost Bin

If you’re composting on an industrial scale, having open piles may be the way to do it, but for most people who are composting in their backyards, using a container to hold decomposing organic matter is a better option.

There are two types of compost bins you can choose from. A stationary compost bin is really just a container that you put organic matter in to. A rotating compost bin can be turned to help mix the contents inside the bin. Whether you use a stationary bin or a rotating bin, the contents need to be mixed to provide oxygen that will accelerate the decomposition process.

Adding Organic Material

Any time you trim your hedges, mow your lawn or have some food waste from your kitchen that you need to get rid of, it can be added to your compost bin. Of course it’s good to have the proper mix of materials and a combination of green and brown organic matter is your best bet.

Green plant matter would be fresher materials like grass clippings, or kitchen waste. Brown material would be things like dried leaves or even paper or wood chips. When we say kitchen waste, we are referring to fruits and vegetables. It’s best not to add meat or dairy to your compost bin because this can attract animals and other pests.

In addition to using a good mix of brown and green organic matter, it’s also necessary to keep your compost moist, so you may need to add water from time to time.

Some Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making compost is not difficult but there are some mistakes that would be best to avoid. Above we mentioned keeping the compost moist and using a mix of different materials. This is important because these are the conditions needed for certain bacteria to thrive. These bacteria are what is responsible for decomposing the organic matter.

It’s also important to turn your compost from time to time. If you just add material, but you never mix the material, the decomposition process will take much longer. If you’re using a stationary compost bin you may need to use a shovel or a pitchfork to mix your compost. If you have a rotating compost bin, make sure you use that feature and rotate your compost after adding the material.

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