Composting is a great way to create high quality soil for free. It just takes some time. Compost is created when organic matter like leaves and food scraps break down into fertilizer. The organisms that break the organic matter down into compost need a mixture of carbon, nitrogen, air and water. The ratio of carbon to nitrogen should be about 25 to 30.
\nMaterials like leaves, twigs, sawdust and paper make up the carbon piece. Use raw wood that is not stained or treated. Also, don’t use glossy or colored paper.
\nMaterials like grass clippings, food scraps, coffee grounds and tea make up the nitrogen piece. Food scraps include fruit and vegetable scraps\/peelings and egg shells. Don’t ever use meat, the eggs themselves, dairy products, cooked foods or processed foods. If you use tea bags, make sure they don’t have any staples.
\nTo provide air flow, layer the carbon and nitrogen materials in the compost container.
\nThe produce scraps should provide enough water, but if it gets dry, a little water can be added.<\/p>\n
There are various containers the compost can be created in. There are tumblers which are barrels that spin to combine the compost materials. There are small kitchen containers. You can also create your own bin with any container or tote, but it should have a lid, especially if it’s outdoors. You also have to add holes to allow for airflow.
\nYou could create a compost pile outdoors layered on the ground. It will naturally decompose over time, but the food scraps will most likely attract wild animals, so might not be the best idea.
\nThe compost is ready to use when it has broken down into a rich black soil.<\/p>\n