How to Make Compost for a Garden

Compost is a cost-efficient answer to your gardening problems. It provides an excellent fertilizer and corrects bad soil issues. Add compost to sandy soil to help it retain water. Mix it into clay soil to improve drainage. Recycle household and lawn refuse to create nutrient-rich compost and watch your garden thrive. Follow these steps to find out how.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Choose a discreet yet convenient location for your compost heap. Pick a level dirt or grassy area that receives equal parts sun and shade and is blocked from high winds.

2. Buy or make your own compost bin. Make a simple bin by cutting the bottom out of an old trash can. Set the can upside down and put the lid over the end to keep the rain out.

3. Place a covered container in your kitchen to collect scraps to go in the compost. Collect coffee grounds, tea bags, crushed egg shells, fruit and vegetable scraps.

4. Start building your compost pile by placing a layer of wood chips on the bottom. Add a layer of damp grass clippings. Next, put in a layer of shredded damp leaves and dead plants. Add your kitchen scraps and top with a layer of soil.

5. Add items to your compost whenever you have some available. Use a gardening fork to mix your layers occasionally and add water to maintain moisture.

6. Use the compost in your garden when it has turned brown, smells earthy and is the consistency of thick soil. The compost on the bottom will be ready first. Remove the bin, collect the ready compost and place what is leftover back in the bin.

Tips & Warnings

• Be considerate when choosing a spot for your compost heap. Place it where it will not be offensive to neighbors.
• Do not add meat, dairy or eggs to your compost. These will smell and attract animals and rodents.
• Do not expect your compost to be ready for use overnight. It will take weeks, sometimes up to a year before it is ready to be added to your garden.