4 Steps to Create and Maintain Your Compost


It’s a great feeling being able to convert your trash into the usable and nutritious soil for close to nothing!

In my last blog, Stop, Drop and Compost! I talked about what materials are good for composting and what should be avoided. Today I want to share some DIY tips for creating an indoor compost and outdoor composting heap.

It does not matter what size of garden you are working with or even if you are indoors, re-purposing your waste by composting is possible!  

In my view, container composting is so much more convenient as you have the ability to relocate your compost should the need arise. 

FOUR STEPS TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN YOUR CONTAINER COMPOST

Step 1: Recycle or buy a plastic bin at least 24 inches tall with a tight-fitting lid (will keep the scent in, keep the soil moist and keep critters out).

Step 2: Use a drill or knife to make 8 – 10 small holes in the bottom of the container as well as in the lid for drainage and aeration purposes.

Step 3: Add materials (read Stop, Drop and Compost! for a full listing) - When adding material to be composted remember that smaller is better since small items break down much faster. Shred up paper, crush the eggs shells, slice and dice the vegetables and fruits.
Make sure to cover your food scraps with dirt to help control any odor.

Step 4: Regularly stir you compost using a shovel or stick to help speed up decomposition. If your compost is too moist, shred some newspapers or cardboard to create air pockets which can help speed up the process.

TIP- I keep an empty container (a recycled garlic butter container) on the kitchen counter to quickly throw compostable food scraps when cooking. When I am finished, I go outside and throw them in my compost heap and stir. It’s pretty easy, trust me!
My counter-top compost collector, a recycled butter container.   

Remember, composting can take anywhere from 3 months to a year, depending on the size of your compost container, the amount of compost material and how well you maintain your compost (stirring, proper materials, prep work etc.). Most of the soil should have a dark brown color, and an almost black soil-like layer at the bottom of your bin when your compost is ready.

Would you try composting? Do you compost? Share your composting tip with us and use the hashtag #RogueGardening. 

Comments

  1. Christeon RomainNovember 26, 2017 at 10:21 AM

    If I have a compost and keep adding things and mixing it, some would be more degraded than the rest (so fresh eggs with properly decomposed veges). What should I do to maintain a more consistent compost overall? Put some in one bucket then newer batches in another?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rogue Gardening November 26, 2017 at 8:19 PM

    Consistent mixing, composting small pieces and having proper aeration are key steps to ensuring your compost is successful! Remember it takes about three months for the decomposition to be completed so don't worry about what looks decomposed now and what looks fresh.

    ReplyDelete

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