Nature puts a bit of effort into decomposing organic matter, and when you compost you help speed that process along. Your pile will get warm, as decomposition is quick between 110 and 160 degrees. Turn your heap when it seems to be cooling, and add water as needed. This helps speed up ...
Find out how to build your own compost bin using old pallets, in this simple step-by-step project. From the experts at BBC Gardeners' World Magazine.
The most effective way to produce rich garden compost is to create a hot, or active, compost pile. It’s called “hot” because it can reach an internal temperature of up to 160°F (71°C) and “active” because it destroys—essentially by cooking—weed seeds and disease-causing organism...
A Heap of Treasure; How to Cook Up Great CompostAdrienne Cook
Humus is a nutrient rich material great for adding to soil. ✦ You create humus by creating a compost heap. ✦ Add horse manure but no other animal faeces. ✦ Turn it regularly. ✦ Make sure it is damp, but not wet. ✦ ...
A good compost activator can be homemade, like well-rotted manure or garden soil, or commercially available starters rich in microbes and nutrients. Kitchen scraps, such as coffee grounds and fruit peels, are also effective, introducing essential elements to stimulate the composting process efficientl...
You’ll also need a saw. Building a Compost Bin with Pallets Start by joining together three pallets to create the back and sides. Stand them up, lean them against each other then screw them together to hold them in place. The two side walls should be flush with the width of the ...
Mix everything together in a compost heap, bin, or tumbler. Add water and air on a regular basis. Despite the steps being rather simple, there are quite a few questions that can arise during composting. Whenever doubts arise, its reassuring to remember that organic materials will all eventual...
With home composting, very thick and heavy waste matter (wood chips, cardboard, office paper, etc.) is also not a good idea in a compost heap unless you plan to allow a lot of time (possibly years) for it to break down into soil through the decomposition process. ...
Choose a Structure Compost structures can be as simple as a heap where you just pile all the ingredients and let nature take its course; this is passive composting. Passive composting is less efficient and slower than active composting, in which you manage the compost process daily. You can ...