How to Start a Compost Pile
By
User:AllieCashel @timeAndDate(1279731031)
As we are all aware, excessive human waste negatively impacts the environment and our ecosystem. Every day tons of landfills are overflowing, causing people to be more aware of the desperate need to take care of their environment. Turning portions of your household waste in to backyard compost can help to solve the crisis at hand. Compost piles speed up the natural decomposition of biodegradable waste, keeping your garbage out of the land fills and turning it into nutrient rich soil which you can use to contribute to the overall health of your garden and backyard. It requires little maintenance and is a great way to do your part and stay environmentally conscious.
What to Compost
Before You Build
Consider the following before you start your compost pile.
* '''Confining Compost''' - Though it isn't necessary, many people like to keep their pile in a bin or coral so that their yard stays neat and clean. Most home and garden stores sell compost bins, but if you want to save money, chicken wire and wood will also do the trick. Just make sure that you put a layer of plastic (a tarp works well) between the waste and wood to prevent unwanted decay.
* '''Location''' - Make sure your bin has access to some light (heat is necessary for decomposition) and is on a flat surface that drains easily. If you want to keep it hidden, remember that you should be able to easily access it from your kitchen. Many people choose to camouflage the bin with tall flowers so that they can still keep it near the house.
* '''Size''' - The recommended size of a home compost pile is no less than three square feet and no greater than five square feet. A bin too small won't get hot enough to speed the decomposition of waste and one too large will trap excess water, preventing necessary aeration.
* '''When To Start''' - Although you can begin at at any point of the year, starting during the fall (when nitrogen and carbon are readily available) can help guarantee the success of your project.
Starting Your Pile
At the bottom of your bin, start off by adding a layer of chopped leaves, grass, plant clippings and kitchen waste (like vegetables, banana peels, coffee grounds, apple cores and egg shells) until you have a layer 66 inches of soil or manure (preferably both) to introduce microorganisms into the compost environment. Alternate these layers until your pile is about three feet tall. After a few days, the environment will begin working on its own and you can add your kitchen and lawn waste to it every day.
Taking Care of Your Pile
The maintenance for these piles is simple. All you need to do is make sure that you regularly add material and occasionally turn it (this is basically just stirring it) to make sure that it is well aerated and that heat spreads through its entirety. Many bins have turners built into them, so you won't need any sort of tool but if you made your own coral, invest in a pitch fork or a compost aerator to help take care of your pile!
Compost Troubleshooting
Every once in a while, you may run into some compost trouble. If you are experiencing problems, take a look at the following list for some potential solutions.
* '''Unpleasant Odor''' - This can be cause by a too much nitrogen, compaction or by excess water. Try turning, aerating, adding some dry leaves to absorb the water or adding materials high in carbon to cancel out the nitrogen, like pine needles or straw for example.
* '''Cold Pile''' - If you're bin is not emitting heat it could need to be turned, need a little water or be finished composting. Try adding air and water to the pile and if it stays cold, use your new soil!
* '''Compost is Damp, Only Center is Warm''' - If this is the case, your pile is probably too small. Add some more compostable material!
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