How to Do Easy Composting in the Garden

This article presents an easy method for composting directly in the garden that has several advantages over traditional methods. By composting directly in the garden, there is no need to have unsightly compost piles which may produce foul odors and attract rodents and pests, or to purchase expensive bins or tumblers.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Compost Activator (Also Called Compost Starter or Inoculate)
• Worms
• Shovel
• Garden Hand Tiller
• Composting Material

1. 
   Compost Activator is a Great Garden Soil Additive

   The first step in turning the garden into a composting environment is to buy a good dry compost activator. Compost starter, also called compost activator or compost inoculate, is a natural organic product generally made from polysaccharides and other organic raw materials. It contains specific bacterial and fungal cultures which stimulate micro-organism activity, thereby accelerating the decomposition of organic waste. What many gardeners don’t know is that these same biological processes that are beneficial to composting help to make an ideal growing environment in the garden which is why compost starter is also an exceptional soil amendment that is high in nitrogen and also helps to maintain a perfect soil PH balance.

2. 
   A Small Rolling Tiller Helps for Working Compost Starter into the Soil

   Work the compost starter into the top 6 inches of the soil in the entire garden at a rate of 2 ½ cups per 10 sq. ft. area. If plants are already established use care not to disturb their root systems.

3. Find an empty spot in the garden and dig a small hole big enough to hold about 1 sq. ft. of compost material. Locate 1 sq. ft. of organic waste. This may be leaves and small twigs, shredded newspaper, organic kitchen waste etc. and bury it in the hole, placing the dirt removed from the hole in a mound on top.

4. 
   Worms Do Wonders in the Garden

   Place a small container of worms on the loose soil next to the mound in the evening when it is cool. Worms can process their body weight in organic material each day, turning the material into castings prized by master gardeners as an ideal soil additive. Worms will generally show up in the garden if good soil conditions exist, but the process can be accelerated by adding worms to the garden. Worms can be purchased from garden supply houses or where they are sold as fishing bait.

5. After three weeks the mound over the compost will be reduced in size and any remaining dirt can be raked into the garden to level the soil. After another couple of weeks planting can resume in this area. The process can be repeated in other areas of the garden without further addition of compost activator or worms.

6. 
   Finished Compost Has an Earthy Odor, Spongy Texture and Rich Brown Color

   At the beginning of the next growing season reapply compost activator and work into the soil. By following this easy and inexpensive process, a garden can be turned into a composting environment and soil conditions can be greatly improved.

Tips & Warnings

• Use thin or shredded organic material for quick composting.
• Water the compost area just as you would a plant in this spot of the garden.
• Adding a nitrogen rich fertilizer to the compost area every two weeks will speed up the process.
• Avoid trying to compost thick twigs, sticks or other materials that may harbor garden pests and take longer to decompose.
• Never try to compost meat or other animal byproducts.
• Never compost diseased or infested plants from the garden.

[jdds08]

on 5/11/2009 This sounds like an idea I'll try this fall in a particular area I have trouble with and if all goes well I'll do it with all my gardens.

[SunflowerOcity]

on 12/2/2007 Thanks Shelia! If you ever have gardening questions, let me know and I will try to help.
Chris

[susu7]

on 12/2/2007 Very well done! You sound like a Master gardener. Thanks for writing!

[susu7]

on 12/2/2007 Very well done! You sound like a Master gardener. Thanks for writing!