Composting Made Easy
- 1). Buy or create a homemade compost bin. A simple bin can be created by using a 32-gallon plastic garbage can with a tightly fitting lid. Remove the bottom of the can with a sharp knife. Drill holes around the sides of the can with a drill and a 2-inch hole saw bit.
- 2). Place the compost bin in a location that provides you with easy access regardless of the weather. The area should be level and well-drained. Put four inches of coarse material, such as sticks and stemmed plants, at the bottom of the bin.
- 3). Add six to eight inches of other composting ingredients, such as leaves, hay, grass clippings and kitchen scraps. In choosing suitable items, you should avoid sugary, fatty or salty foods and meat scraps.
- 4). Add a third layer made up of one inch of soil. The soil will help to mask any odors and the micro-organisms within the soil will help to speed up the process.
- 5). Supplement with two to three inches of manure from herbivores such as cattle, poultry, horses and goats. Repeat the layers until the bin is full. Keep kitchen scraps deep in the pile to minimize egg laying by flies.
- 6). Pour water on the pile so that the materials are moist, like a wrung-out sponge, but not soggy. If you notice the presence of ants, it is a sign that the materials are too dry. After adding water, cover the pile with grass clippings or a piece of cloth to help retain moisture.
- 7). Turn the pile by using a pitchfork or shovel to turn the outside of the old pile into the new one. This should be done every week.
- 8). Wait for the compost to change in appearance so that it is no longer recognizable. According to the Ohio State University Extension Service, compost is ready when it has an "earthy" smell, is dark brown in color and crumbles.
- 9). When adding new material, cover it with a layer of soil and moisten it.
Source...