composting

Compost occurs when organic matter such as leaves, grass clippings, and kitchen scraps are converted to humus with the assistance of air, moisture and micro organisms from the soil.
It should not contain meat, oily or cooked food, or dairy products, as these attract vermin. Nor should it contain any pet feces, which may contain diseases, diseased plants or plants treated with pesticide, any thick branches or hard items like peach pits. You may add rhubarb leaves, even though they are toxic and must not be eaten. I do not add weeds to my compost pile, as not to take the chance of them reproducing.

There are 2 kinds of organic products: dry (carbon) and wet (nitrogen). Examples of dry materials are: fallen leaves, straw, small wood chips and shredded newspapers (chopped or shredded material decomposes faster than those left whole). Examples of wet materials are: grass clippings, barnyard manure or kitchen scraps including coffee grounds. These need to be in a ratio of 2 parts dry to 1 part wet. Micro organisms (which do the decomposing) feed on the carbon materials. If you have too much carbon for the amount of micro organisms and the amount of nitrogen, it will take a long time for the process to complete. Layer the materials of dry and wet alternately, sprinkling water and a shovel full of soil between the layers. (The soil adds the micro organisms. You can also add red wriggler worms to speed up the composting.) Turn the pile each week to aerate, as the micro organisms need oxygen to survive. If the process is working well the interior will be steamy and warm; if it is not, add more wet material. (You may also need to water it if the climatic conditions are dry.)

Bin Composting
Bin composting is one type of composting.  You can use a 2 or3 bin system, with each bin being 1 meter cube. Three sides can be constructed of cement blocks or wooden boards, spaced apart so air can circulate. The fourth side should be removable to let you get to the pile to turn it. A covering of chicken wire on a frame will keep out animals while letting air and water to the pile.

In the first bin, start with a layer of about 6" of dry material on bare soil. Layer the pile, as previously stated, until it is about 3' tall and wide.  Water it well the first time and then just enough to keep it damp. You can turn it regularly, or if you're not in a rush, just let it sit. I keep adding to the first bin until fall when I flip into the second bin, topping it off with a layer of soil, and let it sit til the next fall, when it is ready to use. With the first bin empty in the fall, it's a good time to start again with the past summers vegetable and plant matter. (A third bin would give you the opportunity to flip the compost from the second bin, to give more aeration.)

 

photo: www.lassensloves.com