How to Pit Compost

Many gardeners pit compost right in their gardens to enrich the soil.

Pit composting, also called trench composting, converts biodegradable waste into nutrient-rich humus in an enclosed hole in the ground. This simple composting method works extremely well if you have a lot of smelly kitchen food scraps or if you have close neighbors that might not like the unsightly appearance and unappealing smell of a large heap of decomposing waste. Pit composting relies on oxygen-hating anaerobic bacteria to break down the scraps of organic waste, so you don't need to worry about having to aerate the waste throughout the composting process. In general, plan on allowing four to six months for the entire decomposition process to take place.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Carbon-rich organic waste
• Nitrogen-rich organic waste

Instructions

1. Dig a compost pit in a well-draining area of soil with a shovel. Excavate the hole to a depth of 18 to 24 inches and widen it until it measures approximately 18 to 24 inches wide. Decide the length of the pit based on the amount of waste you need to dispose of; in most cases, a 2- to 3-foot-long compost trench provides sufficient room for a typical household's pit composting needs.

2. Spread a mix of organic waste across the bottom of the compost pit. Scoop the scraps into the hole with your shovel, leveling it off approximately 12 inches from the surface of the ground; for instance, if you've dug your compost pit 2 feet deep, then you can fill it with a 12-inch-deep layer of compost waste. Try to include equal amounts of carbon-rich matter (dry, brown biodegradable scraps such as dead leaves, straw and sawdust) and nitrogen-rich matter (wet, green biodegradable waste such as horse manure, grass cuttings and kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peelings) to speed up the composting process.

3. Backfill the compost pit. Scoop topsoil over the top of the organic waste, completely covering it with a layer of dirt that is approximately 12 inches thick in order to prevent odors and keep from attracting animal pests, like raccoons and rats. Pack the topsoil down firmly with the backside of the shovel scoop.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're interested in using finished compost from your compost trench, save digging and transportation time by locating the compost pit in an area in which you plan to plant. Many gardeners like to place compost trenches in their vegetable gardens right after harvesting fall crops; this practice gives the compost enough time to break down completely before planting time arrives in the spring. Other options include flower beds, as well as the future planting site of new rose bushes, hedges or trees. Always allow four to six months for the compost to fully decompose before planting any new plants in the soil.

• Never add manure from meat-eating animals, such as cats, dogs or pigs, to your compost pit, especially if you plan to use the finished compost in a vegetable garden. This manure may contain harmful pathogens that can infect humans.

References

• "Composting for Dummies"; Cathy Cromell; 2010
• "Garden Harvest"; Steve Bradley, et al.; 2002