If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Some folks compost as a way to get rid of food waste, while avid gardeners compost in order to have that rich, soil additive. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule. To learn more about balancing the ingredients in your compost pile, bin, or tumbler, please visit our … But there are some advantages to getting a good-quality pail: Many are rust-proof, have a lid that seals quickly and easily to keep out pests like fruit flies, and the better … This compost bin hangs by a large hook from a drawer or cupboard under your counter so you can just sweep your cuttings from the counter and into the bin. The compost bin I started this summer smells like real, rich dirt from Kansas, unlike the sandy soil we have here in the foothills above the Mojave Desert. This process recycles various organic materials otherwise regarded as waste products and produces a soil conditioner (the compost).. Compost is rich in … Compost Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio: It’s All About Balance. Hot composting is the most intensive method, but also the fastest way to get finished compost. I'm just starting up, what is best for the base? I was given a big composter and needed to know how to get, "Very complete article. For how to compost in a backyard, Garland said anyone with a little bit of outdoor space and a motivation to collect their food scraps can start composting. It is important that the site is not subjected to extremes of temperature and moisture, as the micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi) that convert the waste to compost work best in constant conditions. The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained, A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To, Call Your Stylist: These Hair Colors Will Be Everywhere This Spring, 7 Small But Impactful Ways to Fit Self-Care Into Your Day Right Now, Luna, Bella & Lily Top This Year's List of Most Popular Cat Names, Eggshells (though they can take a while to break down), Anything containing meat, oil, fat, or grease, Sawdust or chips from pressure-treated wood. % of people told us that this article helped them. For a municipal program, you can often collect all biodegradable kitchen scraps, including meat and dairy. Included information I had not known or seen elsewhere. Compost bins are easy to make … To learn more, about common things to avoid putting in your compost bin, keep reading the article! ", "It is a big guidance in making compost.". Thanks! Grab a glass of milk because we're about to dunk peanut butter cookies, oatmeal-raisin cookies, snickerdoodle cookies, and many more of our all-time favorite cookie recipes. Compost supplements your garden soil with nutrients to promote plant growth. Worms for composting can be purchased inexpensively online or at a garden supplier. It answered all my questions and more about compost. Mixing the pile in this way helps to keep air flowing inside the pile, which encourages decomposition. If you don't want to buy one, you can make your own indoor or outdoor compost bin. Support wikiHow by Some municipalities have you add it to your yard debris container, while others have separate containers for kitchen scraps. Depending on what's growing in your garden, there's a lot you can do to get your ornamental plants ready for the colder months. Look for an affordable private composting service as an alternate option. Compost piles should be covered or kept out of reach of dogs and wildlife. (For usable compost in 1 to 3 months, turn it every other week; for finished compost within a month, turn it every couple of days.) To get started, pick a spot for your compost pile, then purchase or build a compost bin. Adding compost to your garden soil can also assure you that your garden is supplied with micronutrients such as iron, iodine, cobalt, boron, copper, zinc, molybdenum, and manganese. How to Build a Compost Container One great option is to build a compost container. Vermicompost is made with the help of worms. All Rights Reserved. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If it is warm or hot, everything is decomposing as it should. From beginners to experts this page provides backyard composting information and tips for successful home composting. It is believed that these materials repel earthworms, which are a vital part of your garden. You can't use just any old worms for this, however: You need redworms (also called "red wigglers"). Situate the compost pile in a shaded area to reduce moisture loss. Better Homes & Gardens may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on You can turn your food scraps and yard waste into "black gold" that will feed your plants and improve your soil. From home composting to compost tea, compost toilets, large scale composting, vermi and compost use. However, even apartment dwellers and suburbanites with a few potted plants or tiny flower beds can benefit from compost, and you do not have … Sunshine provides heat. Kitchen compost pail Daniel Allan / Getty Images A kitchen compost pail doesn't need to be a fancy affair—any pail or plastic container with a lid will do just fine. ", own compost heap and a better garden or landscape. It depends on the weather conditions and the contents of your compost pile, but most well tended piles take about 2 to 3 months to become useful compost. Credit: Not only will these items cause problems in your garden, but they also can make your compost smell bad and attract animals and pests. Adding compost to your garden beds will help the soil maintain its pH levels over time. Now that you know what items can be composted at home (or not), let’s talk about best practices of how to actually add those things to a compost pile. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Compost-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Compost-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Compost-Step-19.jpg\/aid52660-v4-728px-Compost-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"547","licensing":"