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How
To Start Your Own Compost Pile
Are you looking for a way to save some money and help the environment
as well? Compost is an accepted way and can be used
as a great natural fertilizer for your soil. People have been
making their own compost for years, but recently it proves
that the landfills are dwindling. Knowing that making your
own compost helps the environment, city officials are starting
to charge for removal of the waste. To get rid of the waste,
you can go to a composting site or do this in your own yard.
This will show you the easy way of doing it yourself. Think
of the basics – leaves, cut grass, and vegetable leftovers
can help start your own compost.
Many things can go into this new compost. It
is very simple to do. You can just keep adding items such as the vegetables
or leaves with a bit of soil and let it set until it is done.
In order to keep your compost pile under control, you could
either purchase a compost bin or you can make your own. If
you decide to purchase a compost bin, the components of the
bin sometimes make the process of decomposing faster. But you
can also make your own, you can use a variety of objects such
as wire mesh, concrete blocks, or wooden crates. Be sure to
make this receptacle no larger than three to five feet across
and five feet high.
The
way that the compost starts to work is by adding the leaves,
cut grass, leftover vegetables, or even weeds to the soil. The soil needs to remain moist for the bits and pieces to decompose.
They do take awhile to decompose so do not expect this to happen
over night.
If you can construct your compost bin to heat up the material
to more than 140 degrees, you could have good compost within
a few weeks. Basically you need to kill any bacteria that might
remain in the soil, so it does harm your garden.
The best way is to create layers for your compost. Add leftover
vegetables first, and then manure, and a thin layer of soil;
repeat this process until you are near the top of your bin.
This helps in the breakdown process.
Any pieces that are smaller will decompose faster. If you
take the time to make all pieces small then your compost will
mature better and more rapidly. You will get more use out of
your compost and sooner than expected.
It is best to keep your compost mixed well. The reason behind
this is because once the bacteria breaks down the pile, the
oxygen diminishes and needs to be replenished. This is normally
two weeks after starting the pile. The oxygen is the key to
the breaking down process.
Depending on how you set up your compost bin, you can turn
the compost within itself or shovel the material into another
bin. If you make a three-sided bin, this helps with the turning
of the soil.
Store bought compost bins will sometimes have a drum to turn
the compost with ease.
After about 3 or 4 weeks, you can mix the compost with your
garden soil. Just keep out the larger pieces for more decomposing.
There are many ways to help with your compost pile. Keep this
these ideas in mind:
- Red earthworms help to break down your kitchen waste
- Use your blender to chop up your leftover vegetables
- You can even just place your kitchen wastes in your garden
beds under the soil.
Some of the more common kitchen wastes are the following –
coffee grounds, eggshells and vegetables. Some of the uncommon
wastes are hair, which will decompose, as well as feathers,
ashes from your wood stove or fireplace and ground stone. Some
things to consider do not place meat or bones inside, as it
will attract vermin, which of course is never good. Plastic
or anything metal, sawdust and pet manure should also be avoided.
To avoid large pieces making it into your garden soil, you
can use a screen to separate the good compost from the not
finished yet. Doing your own composting is the easiest way
to save money and help the environment at the same time. Your
garden soil also benefits from it. # # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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