Easy 1, 2, 3... Compost!
Make your own fresh, organic compost to encourage healthy soil!

Also checkout our composting handout here for more information on carbon & nitrogen rich materials for you compost pile. Handout here.

1. Begin by picking out a composting site. Preferably in a shady, level area of your yard. Be sure it is in a convenient area that offers easy access to your kitchen and to your garden. The best size for a starter compost pile is 3x3x3. You can build a wood, box-like structure as a compost bin, create one out of wire or purchase a bin.

 

2. Alternate layers of carbon rich and nitrogen rich ingredients. Add a 3” layer of carbon rich ingredients such as twigs and wood chips, fallen leaves, kitchen scraps (no meat, oil or grease), shredded newspaper and cardboard (not too much) and dryer lint. Next, add a 3” layer of nitrogen rich ingredients such as grass clippings, weeds, manure (horse, cow, pig, sheep, goat, chicken, rabbit only) and coffee grounds. For each foot of height add a layer of organic fertilizer such as cottonseed meal and a layer of good garden soil or finished compost. Enrich your compost even more by adding Espoma Blood meal and Bone Meal, Carl Pool Earthsafe Compost Activator, Nature’s Guide Alfalfa Meal, Nature’s Guide Earthworm Castings, and Living Earth Greensand. For an extra decomposition boost add Earth Safe Compost Activator. Note: Shredded materials compost quicker and easier.

 

3. You could have compost in 2 months! Moisten each layer of material after adding it to the pile so that it is as moist as a well-wrung sponge—damp, not soggy. Turn every few days. For easy turning, use a Lewis Standard Tools Compost Turner or sturdy shovel. Happy, healthy gardening!!