How to Make an Organic Compost Heap

Rich, organic compost

Organic compost is an asset to any pesticide- and chemical-free garden. You can choose from several options for your organic compost heap: freestanding mound or pile; homemade containment area constructed from chemical free lumber and chicken wire, purchased kit or pallet construction; prefabricated chemical free wood compost bin; barrel-like compost unit that can be turned with a handle; or a manufactured, molded unit. When deciding which container is best for you and your property, consider factors such as whether you need a more contained compost pile to keep children, pets or wild animals out. To keep your pile organic you must add only vegetable and fruit peelings from organically grown produce. To maintain an organic yard, compost and garden you must keep all areas chemical-free by using organic materials for fertilizer and pest control.Decomposition of the materials used heats or "cooks" the pile, and temperatures should reach 130 to 140 degrees F to properly compost the materials and keep odor from occurring. Organic compost needs a variety of components, including nitrogen, that when combined together help break down refuse materials and create humus, a form of rich soil. When done correctly compost is an organic, nonchemical soil booster or natural fertilizer.

Things You'll Need

• Compost container of choice
• Shovel
• Dry leaves
• Grass clippings
• Organic vegetable and fruit peelings
• Shells from organic eggs
• Pitch fork
• Compost thermometer

Instructions

1. 

   Select an area where you will establish your organic compost heap. It should be more than 2 feet away from any building to discourage insects from entering the buildings on your property. Buy or gather supplies needed for the compost container you have chosen, and assemble it if needed.

2. 

   Take a shovel and clear a 4-by-4 foot area for your compost heap.

3. Gather organic compostable material such as twigs, branches, grass clippings and leaves in your yard. Bring out kitchen scraps including organic vegetable and fruit peelings, refuse from meals and egg shells. Begin by layering compostable material.

4. Scatter a pile of sticks from fallen twigs and branches in your yard directly onto the container bottom, or onto the bare ground in case of a free standing mound. Fill in the bottom of the container or area. Pile sticks at least 4 to 6 inches high. You can also use wood chips, sawdust or shredded paper for this important carbon producer.

5. 

   Take a bucket of kitchen scraps and pour it over the wood scraps. Organic vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, tea bags, egg shells and scraps that you keep in a covered container for a few days in the kitchen work best. Chemical-free grass clippings and kitchen refuse is your nitrogen source.

6. Spread dry leaves in a layer on the ground. Mow over them with a lawn mower to chop them up if you want faster organic compost production. Shovel a layer of dry leaves over the scraps and then repeat the layers. When you have additional kitchen scraps or grass clippings, add them to the pile and cover with dry leaves to aid in the heating process. Water the pile with a watering can if you live in a dry area.

7. Turn the pile thoroughly at least once a month with a pitchfork or shovel. Turn once a week for faster process. You can also add in a small amount of horse or cow manure.

Tips & Warnings

• Turn your compost to keep it "cooking."

• Corn cobs and banana and orange peels take a very long time to compost or break down. Chop them up before adding to the pile.

• Odor or weeds are produced from an improperly heated or turned organic compost pile.

• You can get your organic compost tested at the nearest state university to make sure that it is chemical free.

• Do not put bones in the compost pile. You will attract animals that will tear into the pile.

• Never put cat litter, dog feces or any household pet manure in your compost pile.

• Horse or cow manure in large doses can kill the active bacteria that heats the pile.

• Do not put any diseased plants, vines or garden refuse into the organic compost heap.