can seem daunting when you have never done it, however, it can be quite simple with many benefits. Composting has been shown to feed micro-organisms and macro-organisms maintain healthy, rich soil which in turn promotes plant growth; It releases nutrients slowly which allows the nutrients to soak into the plants as opposed to leaching away as some synthetic fertilizers do; It improves soil structure; Promotes drainage and aeration in clay soil; Enhances moisture and nutrient retention in sandy soil; Suppresses soil-borne diseases and pests; And attracts earthworms which also help build and nourish soil (Dummies)

The bin

To start composting, you will need a composting bin. This food waste receptacle can range from anything fancy to something as simple as a used yogurt container.

What can and cannot be added

I have been told the rule that if it lived once, it can live again, and this is true for large scale composting facilities that are composting their materials under pressure and heat, however if you are composting at home, you may want to steer clear of meat, dairy, or oils; pet feces (dog, cat, or bird); diseased or rotten plants; weeds gone to seed; or ash from charcoal or coal. Many of these things can attract other animals or make your compost rotten due to the inability to change chemically in the time required.

The larger bin

Once your food waste container has begun collecting food waste, you will then want a place the food when your container gets full. If you live in an urban setting, you can opt to bring your compost to a local facility drop off site if you feel uncomfortable creating your own compost pile at home. To create a compost pile at home, you want to consider a good location that is relatively shady (this decreases your necessity to add water to ensure proper moisturization), a place that has sufficient drainage and is in close enough distance for your convenience yet far enough away to prevent unwanted odors.

Creating an enclosed space will keep things neat and tidy as well as retain heat and moisture which will promote your composts composition and decay. There are several how to videos and articles on how to build your own bin, I found the resources provided from the Minnesota Pollution and Control Agency to be helpful and have attached links to their instructions below. The ideal size recommended is one cubic yard to allow your compost to retain heat throughout most of the year and provide manageability. It is not recommended that home compost piles be larger than five cubic feet. During the winter, the compost may stop producing due to lack of heat although it will pick back up where it left off when the weather warms.

Making the compost

You will want a ratio of either 3 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen or 2 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen. Another way of thinking about this is 3:1 brown to green or 3:1 slimy to dry. Your carbon can come from things such as lawn clippings, leaves, straw, paper products, cardboard, sawdust, egg shells, tea bags, and wood ash. Your nitrogen can come from your kitchen scraps of leftover vegetable and fruit pieces, coffee grounds and filters, plant/grass/leaf clippings and manure. To ensure your compost is able to break down, it is best to have smaller pieces being added versus whole pieces of food or wood.

To make your compost, you will want to add your carbon and nitrogen parts in layers of four to six inches thick. You want your compost to be moist enough so a good rule of thumb is if you squeeze it, you want small water particles to appear in your hand but not so much that water is dripping. If it is too dry, you can add water and if it is too wet, you can spread it out to allow it to dry more. The water is important because it allows microbes to grow and decompose the materials. The compost also needs air so it is important to turn it with a pitchfork at least once a week.

Enjoy

Let the bacteria, fungi, and insects set to work in making some nutritious soil that can be added to your garden.

Links to construction templates

Build Your Own Compost Bin

Wooden Pallet Compost Bin

Additional Resources

What to do if your compost isn't working

Backyard composting

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