Then shred your ingredients before adding to the pile! In addition to oxygen, a compost pile needs water to thrive as well. null. If the pile gets too dry, the decay process stops. It will break down easily. Aim for evenly moist. No, I don't recommend using weeds in your compost pile as it could cause weeds to begin sprouting up around the area. Also known as ‘Gardener’s Gold’ or ‘Black Gold!’ The act of compositing transforms waste, or recycles waste, into nutrient-rich soil. If it’s too wet this usually means your compost pile doesn’t have enough carbon-rich material (brown/dry). If you want DIY compost bins you can have fun spinning around and roll to mix, then this garbage can compost bin is perfect for you. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Compost provides excellent nutrition for plants, builds the soil, feeds beneficial microbes, and keeps valuable resources out of landfills. Growing Weigela – The Perfect Low Maintenance, Deer-Resistant Bush! Finally, when starting a new pile, always use an activator to jump start the decomposition process. Yes. Use a pitchfork or shovel to lift and turn ingredients at least once a week. Move that one to side, start on #2. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. A DIY compost pile is so easy, and we hope this article provides some useful tidbits to get your composting pile started: null. (Product Link : Jobes Compost Starter). Your compost also needs oxygen and moisture. How do I keep the compost pile going in a cold, snowy winter? Cover it? They heat up to temperatures of 120 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit (49 to 77 degrees Celsius) within 1 to 5 days, with 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius) being a typical peak. Their moisture contents make aerobic decomposition a lot more tricky. % of people told us that this article helped them. Keeping the compost pile damp will accelerate the breakdown of the organic materials. The compost is ready when it no longer heats up and looks similar to dirt. You can try putting it in a natural soil-based bag and leaving it with a few tiny clumps of dirt on top. Chopping and shredding materials before adding to a pile gives them a jump start on decomposition. Add straw, twigs or newspaper. If you’re worried about weeds sneaking in from the lawn, remove the turf below the bin and generously layer woodchips, newspaper or cardboard between the soil and the compost. When using compost in the garden, you can sift the larger pieces out and put them back into the pile, or you can use it as it is. Truly, if you are properly tending your pile, you should have nothing but a deep, rich earthy smell wafting off of your compost. Nothing expensive or complicated needed. ", http://www.homecompostingmadeeasy.com/carbonnitrogenratio.html, http://www.compostjunkie.com/compost-ingredients.html, http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundamentals/needs_particle_size.htm, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, Possible overwatering; soil too compact; too much nitrogen, Add items, such as sawdust, to soak up excess moisture; "stir" the pile more; cover pile if raining; add more carbon materials, Pile too small; not enough moisture; insufficient air; insufficient nitrogen, Add more organics to the pile to make it bigger; add more moisture while stirring; add water straight to the center of the pile by sticking in the watering hose; add in more nitrogen, Turn the pile more often to aerate; add more organic carbon materials such as sawdust, corn husks, or dead leaves, Add more organic materials to your pile, being sure to layer and maintain the ideal carbon/nitrogen ratio, Remove less viable composting materials such as meats and large chunks of vegetables; animal-proof the compost pile by placing grating around and tarp above, Remove items from pile and chop up or shred to create larger surface area. This article has been viewed 173,434 times. Many of the organisms that you want to live in your pile find their way in from the soil in your yard. on When & How To Harvest Sunflower Seeds – And How To Roast Them Too! This helps add instant fuel and oxygen to the core. Here is a look at the 5 simple keys to success for creating the perfect compost pile in your backyard: There are two basic types of materials that go in a compost pile – brown material (inactive), and green material (active). So what is the right mix of browns and greens? Without air, your pile will start to rot and smell. The Environmental Protection Agency says these are the most important tips for creating a compost pile or a compost bin: Select a dry, shady spot near a water source for your compost pile or bin. The pile should be easily accessible, and, depending on your preferences, hidden from the main view of your yard/garden. Simply create holes around your trash can and lid. And as the oxygen becomes depleted, the process slows. 7 Great Garden Seed Catalogs That Will Inspire Your Gardening. It will have a fresh earthy scent, too. Here’s to creating the perfect compost pile this year, and being rewarded with healthier soil and plants! You can use any two plastic barrels or drums that you have on hand and if you don’t have barrels to use, check with local manufacturing companies to see if they have any that they are willing to part with. We make compost using large compost bins and our chicken yard. Attach the bungee cord to secure the lid and your bin is ready to use! Wet the medium thoroughly. To build a compost pile, start by putting down a layer of carbon, which includes materials like leaves, straw, corn stalks, and small twigs. The finished compost it creates helps build and recharge soil in vegetable gardens, flowerbeds, raised beds and more. Not to mention it's fun! This allows air into the pile and aids the … Yes, and they are a excellent source of nitrogen for your compost pile. Until we had chicken poop our pile was doing okay but the amount never added up as quickly as it does now. Approved. This will make it easy to reach your pile and turn it with a shovel or fork. You will know if the pile is hot, because in cooler weather you will see steam. Thanks to Farmers Wife at The Real Farmhouse for putting on a fun DIY garden contest! How To Plant Fruit Trees – And Why Fall Is The Best Time To Plant! Here's how to build your very own compost pile. Not to mention, the smaller the material, the less it needs to break down. ". We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. We picked out 23 of our favorite compost bin ideas for you to try out. Unfortunately, too much moisture can be detrimental to your pile too. A compost pile heats unevenly, unless you turn it every few days being diligent in making sure that all plant material spends time in the center of the pile. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Like humans, a compost pile needs oxygen to breathe, live and work. This Is My Garden is a garden website created by gardeners, publishing two articles every week, 52 weeks a year. You can also use peelings like from carrots, cucumbers, apples and oranges are all great material for your compost. It is important to locate the pile away from all structures, since the composting process is one of decay and rotting your house, shed or fence should be avoided. This article may contain affiliate links. If all you have is green plant material (like grass), you can add newspaper as the carbon source. Finally, add a layer of topsoil. The DIY composting toilet needs to be emptied when it is full. Too wet: compost should be damp but sludgy. 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