Let's Speed Up That Compost Pile:

Compost piles must hold a minimum of organic mrial bee t will maintain rapid decomposition. So the pile should be at least 3-feet-by-3-feet and 4-feet tall. Naturally piles can be larger. Moving leaves to the pile, then chopping them up with a lawn mower or leaf shredder bee t go on the pile aids composg considerably, as small particles decompose faster than large ones.

There are other things we can do to acceler composg and make it more efficient. As slightly wet leaves decompose quicker than dry ones and rain may not penetr the pile center, I'd dampen dry leaves bee ing them. Ground limestone may also be scattered in if we a bunch of oak leaves and we're concerned about the acidity t may gener in our pile. Scatter about a pound of lime ey five leaf layers. But do not use lime if your compost will be given to acid loving plants such as mountain laurel, blueberries, azaleas, rhododendrons and potatoes. Adding lime to compost is an option rather than mandatory.

The ition of fertilizers speeds composg. Scatter 1 cup of fertilizer ey 15 square feet of pile.
Two pounds of dried cow manure can be the fertilizer. The ition of fertilizer is not a necessity.

Shady piles seem to compost faster than sunny ones, as t more promptly retain the moisture microbes need. Drenching a dry pile with wr can be helpful in hot weather. Construct your pile lower in the center and higher on the sides, that way rain will go in more easily. Coing the pile with plastic sheets to reduce evaporation can help in conserving that most important wr supply. Turning the pile ey month with a garden k or similar tool aers our microbes and speeds composg.

Garden waste mrial and vegetable scraps make great compost itions, but don't place meat, bones, glass, plastic or metal in the pile. Keep mrial loaded with weed seeds, plant disease or insects out of the pile. Ne put in mrial that's been tred with herbicide. Straw or hay can be ed, but seeds in the hay may not decompose, sometimes causing weed troubles. Pine needles may be ed, but because of their waxy coags, t may take longer to break down. If you twigs make sure t are small and broken, or t will take e to break down. If you newspaper t need to be shredded into y strips. Choose an inconspicuous site the pile. While piles aren't ugly, t are seldom beautiful.

Compost has so many garden uses that I ne get enough of this terrific stuff. I blend compost into ey plang hole, whether I'm plang a dogwood tree, petunia beds, tomatoes or anything else.