How to make a compost pile

Compost piles are great sources of fertilizer for your garden and a great way to naturally eliminate food and yard waste. They do require attention and several months of work before they are in full swing, but well worth the time and effort if you have a garden or just want to do your part for the earth.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Container that can have holes drilled in the top and bottom (optional)

1. To begin a compost pile, first choose a place for it. You may opt for somewhere away from your house, as it may have an odor at times. You can use a large plastic trash can and drill holes in the top and bottom. Place it in a spot where it will get as warm as possible in the sun.

2. Begin adding an assortment of grass clippings, food scraps and leaves. Every few days turn and mix the pile, especially the top most part.

3. If you see earthworms after rain, add them to the compost. They will aid in the decomposition of the waste.

4. After your compost pile is functioning properly it will begin to decompose waste more quickly. Be patient. Use the compost for gardening or soil fertilizer for a lush lawn.

Tips & Warnings

• The hotter it gets the better.
• Bugs will be attracted to your compost pile which is a good thing. They will aid in the decomposition of the waste.
• Meats and cheeses will not decompose well in a compost pile. It is best to dispose of them elsewhere.

[dsarokin]

on 9/20/2008 Thanks for this. I recently started my own compost pile, and it's great to have some confirmation that I (mostly) did things right. 5*