How to Make a Fall Compost Pile

Fall is a great time to empty your compost pile and start anew. There is plenty of organic material around, from spent garden plants to fall leaves. Compost piles need two types of materials, “brown” and “green”, sources of carbon and nitrogen that help plant material break down. In the fall there is often an abundance of both types of materials so it is easy to get an equal mix of good nutrients for a new compost heap.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. First, gather the organic refuse from your garden. Tear down any vegetable plants that are no longer producing and any raggedy looking annuals. Rake leaves and gather them in a convenient spot.

2. Chop up large organic refuse. This would include things like tomato plants or sunflower stalks.

3. Shred fallen leaves with your lawnmower so they will mix better and decay faster.

4. Add the coarser material to the bottom of the pile. This will take longer to break down and is best left there.

5. Keep layering “brown” (dead leaves, straw) with “green” (fresh grass clippings, kitchen waste) in equal amounts. The pile needs nutrients from both types to break down sufficiently.

6. If you don’t have enough “green” materials because there are lots of fall leaves, add nitrogen producing elements like blood and bone meal or manure.

7. Add organic material to the compost pile as you get it over the winter. The pile may freeze but if it does keep the scraps in a container to the side and add them when you are able.

Resources

• Fall Composting Tips
• Understanding Green and Brown Elements in Compost