Composting Is For Winners:

Most organic gardeners will quickly tell you that compost is a key ingredient in their gardens. Not only is compost one of the best ways to boost the quality of your soil and give your plants the rich nutrients they need to thrive, it's also free, except for a small investment of sweat equity. It's even a great way to cut down on the horrific amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills.

How Do You Start Composting?

There's no expensive equipment required for composting. You'll need a shovel or pitchfork and maybe a water hose. Pick a spot for your compost pile that is at least two feet away from any solid structure. Collect as much organic matter as you can. Pile on all your grass clippings and most of your organic kitchen scraps. These will add nitrogen to your compost pile. It is best not to include animal fats, grease or bones in your compost pile because those items can draw scavenging critters, but other than that, most food waste can become a part of the process. Keep a large coffee can in your kitchen to collect egg shells, vegetable peels, coffee grounds and all the other things you would normally toss in the garbage. Add dried straw or leaves, chopped into small pieces, to add carbon to the pile. Keep adding organic materials whenever they are available. Turn the contents of the pile with your pitchfork or shovel every other week or so and...voila, you have a cold compost pile.

What's The Difference Between A Hot Compost Pile And A Cold One?

In a cold compost pile, the decomposition is taking place at a slow pace. It will eventually become usable compost, but it could take a year or more to reach that point. A hot compost pile, on the other hand, provides quicker action. It is also able to kill weed seeds and plant pathogens found in the pile and you'll have usable compost in a much shorter time. It does require more work, though. To create a hot compost pile, you need to add moisture to the mix, keeping the ingredients damp and spongy. Turning the contents of the pile at least once a week also speeds up the process.

Compost Makes Everyone A Winner

When the pile starts looking like rich, dark soil, the compost is ready to use. At first, you may find the compost is all at the bottom of the pile, but you can use your shovel to pull enough of the material out to start using it in your garden. Use it just as you would fertilizer. You'll soon see an amazing difference in the health of your plants. By composting, you will have a much better chance of reaping a rich harvest, and you will have done a great part in softening your impact on the environment. Composting is one simple way to make gardeners, and the earth, both come out winners.