How to Make Compost

How to make compost is a central part of good gardening. Compost acts as a soil amendment loosening clay soil and allowing sandy soil to hold moisture while increasing fertility. It seems to have an influence on plant growth that is more intense than would be expected from its nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium balance. So the question is not if compost is good but rather how to make good compost.

Compost should be made to have as great a nutrient concentration as possible and in sufficient quantities for the garden concerned. Obviously a small container requires less than a full sized, raised bed, organic garden.

There are three basic methods for making compost. The pile it and forget it method, and hot compost and cold compost methods. All depend on the simple maxim that organic material rots when left alone. Microorganisms move in and digest it making compost along the way.

Pile it and forget it means just that. Organic material is allowed to accumulate in a pile and left for a couple of years. Depending on the carbon/nitrogen balance of the materials along with adequate moisture the pile will compost in its own time. Usually after a couple of years the top six inches or so can be removed to reveal usable compost below. There is some concern that the exposure to the elements over the time will have depleted some of the nutrients but it is still a great mulch and soil amendment.

Cold composting is the next step along the way. Basically it varies from pile it and forget it by way of planning. A source of dry material is piled for later use. For example it may be damaged straw, fall leaves or wood shavings. As green material such as kitchen trimmings and garden waste is accumulated it is added to a pile along with an equal amount of th brown. Once the pile reaches at least three feet wide, high and deep it is turned once to mix all the materials and to ensure that it has a moisture content about equal to that of a damp sponge. After about a year it will be composted in the manner of the first method.

Hot composting is the fastest method and thus leaves the most nutrients. It also uses the natural heat of the microorganisms bodily processes to pasteurize the pile and kill most of the weed seeds. There is some doubt as to how much this matters since it will be placed and soil that tends to have millions of weed seeds per cubic foot, but for mulch it will certainly help. To make hot compost basically one follows the building method of the cold pile and then turns the pile every three days or so. In warm weather it will be ready to use in about three weeks although some claim finished compost in two weeks.

Regardless of the method, stuff rots and making compost is a natural process that can be helped along with a little effort.

Darrell Feltmate is a juried wood turner whose web site, Around the Woods , contains detailed information about wood turning for the novice or experienced turner as well as a collection of turnings for your viewing pleasure. You too can learn to turn wood, here is the place to start. Wondering what it looks like? Follow the page links for a free video.

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