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Image: Joi on Flickr
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Backyard composting is a great way to recycle organic
materials and turn them into nutrient rich plant food. Composting is pretty
easy to do and doesn’t have to cost a penny. Use this guide to learn how to
make and use compost, reap its benefits and find which composting bin is right
for your backyard.
Compost: Nature’s Organic Plant Food
Ah compost, one of nature’s many valuable gardening
resources. I love compost and I use it in my vegetable garden every year
whether it’s from my backyard compost pile or composted manure from the farm.
There are many reasons why you too should use compost.
6 Benefits of Backyard
Composting
Attention all organic
gardeners; are you composting? If you answered no, you should be. Backyard
composting has many benefits that fit naturally into organic gardening. It’s
easy to get started and unless you buy a compost bin, it won’t cost you a
penny. The big plus is you’ll be cutting down on decomposable household waste
and feeding your garden with organic ingredients.
List of Good and Bad Compost
Ingredients
What can and cannot go into a
compost pile? This question is probably more common than you think and it’s one
that I’ve thought about myself. Many gardeners stress about whether or not what
they are adding to their compost piles is good, organic and or even safe.
Difference Between Hot and
Cold Compost
There are 2 methods that can be
used to make compost in the backyard: hot and cold. Each has it's own benefits
and drawbacks making it important to know the difference between the 2 before
getting started.
How to Make Hot Compost
Hot compost can be made in a
backyard compost pile in as little as 2 months. It involves layering compost
ingredients in the right order, keeping the pile moist and circulating with air
and a little patience. In 6 easy to follow steps, finished compost can be added
to the garden during the same growing season the pile was started in.
How to Make Cold Compost
Making your own compost is a great way to add vital
nutrients to your garden organically. It’s pretty easy to do in your own
backyard using the right ingredients and techniques.
How to Tell if Compost is
Finished
Compost, also called “black
gold” is a great way to fertilize gardens organically. Adding finished compost
to the garden has many benefits, but did you know filling your beds with compost
that is still decomposing can slow plant growth? That’s why it’s important to
know when compost is finished, or in other words, when it has finished
decomposing and is ready to work its magic in the garden.
How Much Compost to Add to
the Garden
Wondering just how much
finished compost the garden really needs? You may be pleasantly surprised that
a little compost goes a long way. Depending on the areas in which you live and
the last time you amended the garden with compost, effects how much you need to
add.
How to Calculate How Much
Compost You Need to Cover Your Garden
Calculating how much compost
you need to cover your garden is doable, even for those with less than stellar
math skills. Most gardens only need between ½ to 2 inches of finished compost
yearly. So, how do you measure how much compost you need to cover your garden
with a ½ inch to 2 inches of compost? In order to figure this out, you’ll need
to know the square footage of your garden and how many inches of compost you
want to add.
