How to Manage Your Compost Heap

Setting up a compost heap is simple. After you've identified an area for the heap, you need to enclose the area. Lawn/garden stores sell commercially produced bins or you can build a simple enclosure with snow fencing or chicken wire and garden stakes. This enclosure will keep your nice pile of leaves, etc. from blowing into your neighbor's yard.

Now you are ready to put the pile together.

Use the layer technique to create your compost pile:

• First Layer: a carbon source such as kitchen refuse, leaves, straw, sawdust, or wood chips.
• Second Layer: a nitrogen source such as manure or grass clippings.
• Third Layer: 1" of soil or old compost (you may also use a commercial "compost starter")

Pretty simple, isn't it? Now you water it thoroughly and let it sit. The interior of the heap will soon begin to heat up as a result of the composting actions.

You should turn your compost heap every week or two weeks, to make sure the microbes have an opportunity to act on all parts of your compost heap.

Congratulations! You are on your way to having a backyard recycling center.

Your compost is ready to use when it no longer has recognizable pieces of yard or kitchen waste. It will be crumbly, a deep brown color, and have a clean earthy smell. Dig it into your garden and watch your plants grow!

How does my composting approach compare to the pros'? Well, it takes me a little longer to get compost, but I'm not a slave to the compost pile, either. A fair trade, in my book.