Compost Heap Garden Nursery Landscaping Guide

Compost Heap To Create Garden Nutrients

By Pixie Matthews

In many cases, people don’t start backyard composting because they believe it is too much work and hassle. But the truth of the matter is that composting is rather simple and the main thing that a homeowner needs to provide are the basic organic materials for the compost heap and then to step back and allow nature to do its job.

There are, however, some simple principles to keep in mind that will help you enjoy good results.

Different Types Of Compost Bins

There are a number of different types of compost bins on the market that you can use to help manage and contain your compost. But, a special bin is not a requirement that is needed to accomplish successful composting, but more of a convenience. It is easy enough to build your own bin for your compost pile and simply cover it over with a sheet of polythene or chunk of cardboard.

But, if you want your compost heap to look a bit neater and want it to be somewhat easier to manage, then buying compost bins might be the right step for you. You can look at local garden centers, shop online at sites that carry organic gardening supplies or even get in touch with your local recycling department.

Buy Compost Bins From Community Groups

Some communities actually have composting bins that you can purchase very inexpensively as a way of encouraging this form of recycling.

Making a compost is as simple as adding your organic items that are compostable on a regular basis. Any waste product that was at one time a living thing will compost, or decompose, but some items are not recommended to be thrown into your compost pile.

Meats, dairy foods and cooked foods will end up attracting pests and vermin so these should not be used in your home composting efforts. Dead and decaying leaves, lawn clippings, manure, and kitchen waste such as rinds, peelings, coffee grounds and even eggshells can be added to the compost.

Tougher Plant Materials Take Longer To Decompose

Older, thicker and tougher plant materials are slower to decompose but they benefit the compost by providing more substance, or body, to the finished compost product. These heavier materials usually comprise most of a compost pile.

Wood items take a long time to decompose. Whenever possible it is best to shred, chip or chop wood materials to help accelerate the rotting process. However, as long as they are mixed in with other materials that decompose faster they will still provide some benefit to the process overall.

Brown And Green Material

In general it is best to have fairly equal amounts of what is called brown material and green material in your compost. Brown materials are the manures, dead leaves, small twigs and cardboard and newspapers. Green materials include hedge and grass clippings, coffee grounds, fruit rinds and uncooked vegetables.

You only need to have about one foot of organic material to get your compost heap started. In most instances, just mowing the yard and weeding your flowerbeds and vegetable garden will give you enough to begin. If needed, then you can also add organic kitchen waste and newspaper, and even a little straw if you are coming up short of the one foot level.

Once things get piled up, nature will take over and the decomposition process will start. It is good to turn the heap about every two weeks and within four to six months you will have a nice compost of waste materials that will give a boost to your soil.

About the Author:
Pixie Matthews has written a number of articles on gardening and landscaping including Organic Vegetable Gardening Products, Vegetable Gardening Tips, Spring Vegetable Gardening, Compost For Your Vegetable Garden, Vegetable Gardening Tricks, Composting, Vegetable Gardening Tricks.
Keep a lookout for more of his articles on this website.

Little Known Composting Facts....

How can I stop it from smelling so bad?
If you do not want you compost heap to smell horrible you will want to avoid putting in food scraps and animal wastes such as manure and pet droppings. Besides the obvious odor as they decompose, they will attract other animals and you will wind up finding your compost heap scattered across the yard.

If you live in a suburban area you will want to try to keep smell to a minimum so keep those food and waste products out of your compost pile and keep just yard trimmings and tree clippings in the pile.

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