google_ad_height = 600; If you need a little help on some of the above concepts, go to these areas of this website: If you need to troubleshoot issues with your Batch Pile, go to these places in this website: Most composting at home requires a few tools. Composting organic waste at home will return […] /* solomonhome_right_120x600 */ google_ad_height = 90; google_ad_slot = "5322421778"; /* solomonhome_right_120x600 */ Our parent site - Cortesia Sanctuary is on Facebook. Only $4.95 (+$2.00 shipping) Before you start piling on, recognize that there are two types of composting: cold and hot. Lack of proper moisture is a very common problem in backyard composting. Home Composting Made Easy offers step-by-step instructions, products and resources for backyard composting. Add water to your pile if necessary to … google_ad_slot = "5322421778"; Hair: Add nitrogen to the soil by composting hair pulled from hairbrushes, from pet grooming, or (yes, gross) from the shower drain. /* solomonhome_right_120x600 */ google_ad_height = 600; If you are of the "Dump-and-Run" mentality, than this method of composting is just for you. Included are richly illustrated instructions and tips on over 25 topics. the organic material will decompose slowly over a long period of time. google_ad_width = 120; Keep food scraps covered by a BROWN layer. The major advantage of creating a large batch pile of compost in your bin is that it heats up quickly and the organic material decomposes faster, often in 4-8 weeks or longer. //--> google_ad_width = 120; Our parent site - Cortesia Sanctuary is on Facebook. Don't worry if not everything broke down uniformly. Over the course of a year or so, the material will decompose. google_ad_height = 600; Smaller particles help in heat build-up in the bin. //-->, Why? google_ad_width = 120; google_ad_client = "pub-2350785920897427"; Home Composting Made Easy offers step-by-step instructions, products and resources for backyard composting. Home Composting Made Easy Moisture is critical to a compost pile. Add some air, a little water, mix the pile occasionally, and that’s pretty much it. Having a stockpile of Food Scraps ensures that you have enough for the several GREEN layers you will likely be creating in the Batch Pile. google_ad_width = 120; Stockpiling BROWNs, especially leaves, is part of the success of Batch Pile composting. Only $4.95 (+$2.00 shipping) google_ad_height = 600; //--> All up there can be millions of different organisms ranging from the tiny (Mesophilic google_ad_width = 120; google_ad_client = "pub-2350785920897427"; Professor Rot says: Once things have started decomposing (you… google_ad_client = "pub-2350785920897427"; As you add other elements into the pile (newspaper, garden waste, leaves, etc) this will introduce other organisms into the composting process. Always add BROWN materials, such as leaves, leaf mulch, straw or hay, etc. This acts as a lid for keeping the heat in. Turn the pile now and then to intermix Greens and Browns. You can go up to 5 feet tall, but beyond that, turn the pile regularly or start a series of 3- to 5-foot piles, which also helps provide finished compost at different times. /* solomonhome_right_120x600 */ Repeat this layering process, moistening each layer a little bit, until bin is full. A homemade bin can have a wooden top or tarp. Cold composting is as simple as collecting yard waste or taking out the organic materials in your trash (such as fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds and filters, and eggshells) and then corralling them in a pile or bin. For this reason this method of composting is also called Cold or Passive composting. Pick out the bigger pieces, or simply incorporate the compost into your garden beds where it will further decompose. By composting, you can add nutrients to your earth and develop a good soil structure, which means healthier, more productive plants. Most composting at home requires a few tools. google_ad_slot = "5322421778"; Microorganisms are found in sufficient numbers on the brown and green plant material being added to the pile. google_ad_slot = "9771532167"; google_ad_width = 120; Get more info>, Here's some basic items necessary to easily compost at home using this method: From Home Composting Made Easy by C. Forrest McDowell, PhD & Tricia Clark-McDowell google_ad_height = 600; If the Roughly once a week, work the pile with a garden fork or shovel, making sure to turn it so the organic material from the bottom covers new additions on the top. This minimizes odor and flies and scavengers. The world's most popular composting guide. /* solomonhome_right_120x600 */ google_ad_width = 120; /* solomonhome_right_120x600 */ /* solomonhome_left_120x90 */ The sweet smell of composting success Now, before you consider using this method, make sure you understand this one very important fact: Because you are choosing to add waste to your compost bin or pile gradually over time (as compared to the Batch Pile method in which you make a large pile of compost at one time), the organic material will decompose slowly over a long period of time. If the first materials you add are dry, moisten them as you go by lightly spraying the compost with water until it’s damp (but not soaked). Further below are photographs illustrating the same process using a typical homemade bin. the ADD-AS-YOU-GO Compost Pile. It may also be helpful to stimulate cold or sluggish piles that don't seem to be decomposing as quickly as desired. Think positively by considering the following as general TIPS that will aid in successfully and easily composting. It is always a good idea to chop up layers of materials to create more surface area and to eliminate bulky waste items, such as rinds, peels, stalks, etc. /* solomonhome_right_120x600 */ when using a small compost bin or heap, the compost may never reach a higher temperature as the heat produced     Once-living organisms will decompose into compost. google_ad_slot = "5322421778"; google_ad_height = 600; //--> A good balance or ratio of GREENs to BROWNs should cause the compost heap to quickly build up heat, especially within a few days. Get more info>, . google_ad_width = 120; And most people use it. google_ad_width = 120; Some you may already have in your garden shed or garage; other tools are more specialized to composting and you might desire to acquire them later. Take heart! google_ad_width = 120; google_ad_height = 90; /* solomonhome_right_120x600 */ /* solomonhome_right_120x600 */ Try to find a sunny spot that will allow for easy access for filling and emptying. Why? It is important to place about a 3-inch layer of coarse materials (stalks, straw/hay, small twigs, tall weeds) on or near the bottom of the compost bin. google_ad_client = "pub-2350785920897427"; google_ad_slot = "5322421778"; GREENs are added in a ratio of 2 parts to 1 part BROWN. It’s also an easy way to recycle food, animal and plant waste, and turn it into a usable product. google_ad_height = 600; google_ad_client = "pub-2350785920897427"; google_ad_width = 120; google_ad_slot = "5322421778"; All this helps to retain or return heat in the pile. But ah! google_ad_slot = "5322421778"; /* solomonhome_right_120x600 */ Grab a cup of java or tea and enjoy! google_ad_client = "pub-2350785920897427"; google_ad_slot = "5322421778"; For herbal healing & wellness visit our site. This process of decomposition creates compost, or rich soil. OR, in a 1:1 ratio (equal parts). /* solomonhome_rightbottom_120x90 */ Do this at least weekly. /* solomonhome_right_120x600 */ Okay, you want to do your part to recycle (compost) up to 35% of your kitchen and yard waste.