How To Compost

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In this posting, I describe how to create a compost pile from kitchen and yard waste.

Last year, I described how to build a simple and inexpensive compost bin. In this posting, I'll describe how to actually do the composting.

Composting is actually very easy. The key to creating good compost, is to create layers of "green" and "brown" materials which you build-up like a layer cake. Green materials include grass clippings, vegetable and fruit scraps from your kitchen, and green leaves. Animal manure is also considered a "green" for the purpose of composting. Brown materials include items such as brown/dried leaves, straw, and the dried stalks from cereal grain crops like corn, barley, rye, wheat, and oats.

Here's are the steps required to build a good compost pile:

For an open compost bin like the one I use, the first step is to prepare the ground on which the compost pile is built. To do this, use a pitch fork to loosen the soil. You will water your compost pile frequently, so loosening the ground provides good drainage and also improves air circulation to the pile.
Plant materials are converted to compost by microscopic organisms. To encourage their development, you need to create good circulation of air within the compost pile. Creating some spaces at the bottom of the pile where air can enter and circulate to the center of the compost is very simple. To create these spaces, place a layer of small (1/4" to 1/2" diameter) tree branches on the floor of the compost bin and cover these with a layer of even smaller brushy materials.
Now begin laying down green and brown materials in alternating layers. You can do this all at once or over a period of weeks. In my case, I tend to lay down materials once per week. Generally, I wait till the weekend and then begin with the greens. I mow the lawn and throw grass clipping into the compost pile. I then add any weeds I've pulled from the garden, plant materials removed from the garden (For example, bush bean plants that from which I have harvested all the bean pods) and any vegetable and fruit scraps from the kitchen. After laying down this layer of green material, use a hose to thoroughly soak them.
I then add a layer of "brown" materials on top of the greens. You want each layer to be evenly distributed in the compost bin and the layers of greens and browns to be of the same thickness. During the summer months finding browns may be a challenge, so you may want to save brown leaves from the previous fall in a pile use these as needed. You can also use any stalks from harvested cereal crops that you might have on hand or in storage. Since I raise chickens, I buy bales of hay that get used as bedding material in the coop and on the floor of the chicken pen. Every two weeks, I clean out the pen of the soiled hay and use this as the main brown my compost pile. In actuality, this material is both a brown and a green since the "brown" hay is mixed with "green"chicken droppings. Water again to thoroughly soak the browns
Now add a thin layer of soil from your garden to cover the top of the browns. This layer of soil introduces microbes from your garden into the compost pile. Water one last time.
Each week, add more layers in the same order: greens, browns, soil, and water between each layer.
You'll know when the microbes begin to take over because the temperature of the compost will begin to rise. I use a compost thermometer to get an accurate read on the temperature. A compost thermometer looks like a kitchen meat thermometer but with a very long probe. Just stick the thermometer into the center of the pile and you'll see the temperature gauge begin to move. A "Hot" compost pile will be 130 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, a "Warm" pile is between 100-130 degrees Fahrenheit and a "Low" pile is between 80 and 100 degrees. The temperature will vary over time as you add materials but when the temperature falls below 80 degrees it either means that the compost is done or the compost pile got stuck.
It's generally recommended that you water your compost pile every day. Since my compost pile is in a shaded area, I get by with less frequent watering. You just need to watch and try to keep your compost pile moist -- just like your garden.
After a period of weeks or months, your compost will be ready. The time really depends on lots of factors. One key indicator, is a drop in the temperature of the pile. To check using visual inspection, use a pitch fork to remove some of the materials on the top of the pile. If all has gone well, you'll be surprised to find a rich mix of soil under the top layer.
At this point, you can stop watering your compost and let it dry out. You can now sift your compost to remove any uncomposted fragments and then either use the compost immediately or store in a bin or under a tarp.