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10 Things New Composters Must Know - How to Get Quality Compost

· 2 min read
Emma
Emma
Writer, Plant Lover, 3 kids Mother

  1. Place the compost pile on bare ground in a location that is shady and protected from the wind. Do not place the compost pile on rocks, concrete or asphalt, or in a pit. The compost pile needs to be based on soil that is accessible to worms and other microorganisms.

  1. Loosen the soil for the chosen area and spread a layer of coarse-grained material about 10-20 cm thick, followed by a layer of well-mixed small granular material such as leaves, food waste, etc. Only a thin layer of grass clippings or a mixture of grass clippings and other materials should be spread; in addition, dry or wilted grass clippings should be selected to prevent them from rotting.

  2. The materials for making compost must be thoroughly chopped and well mixed; the more types of starting materials, the better.

  3. Add a few shovels of common garden soil or finished compost to the new pile as an "inoculum" and, if necessary, add compost worms. Onion peels, coffee grounds, tea bags or tea leaves are ideal food for worms.

  4. Microorganisms need moisture, so compost needs to be kept moist.

  5. Do not over-water the composting material as this will result in insufficient air and create an anaerobic environment. An anaerobic environment will terminate the composting process and anaerobic digestion will take its place. The composted material should be kept as moist as a wrung out sponge.

  6. Waste such as meat, bones and cooked food will attract vermin and should be disposed of in the organic waste bin and should not be used for self-composting.

  7. Make sure composting materials are well ventilated by.

  • Mix well with coarse-grained material.
  • Compost bins should have enough ventilation holes
  • Do not use containers that are closed on all sides.

  1. Turning the compost pile Turning can speed up the decomposition process by mixing the material more fully and replenishing the gas. During the turning process, the finished product can be sieved and the undecomposed portion put back into the pile.

  2. Cover the finished compost pile with wood, a thick layer of leaves or similar material to prevent moisture and nitrogen loss! If the compost pile is not adequately aerated, it can produce unpleasant odors.