A compost heap is your ticket to what gardeners call "Black Gold." Compost is decayed organic material that can be used to improve soil, reduce weeds and erosion. It provides your plants with the fertilizer they need to grow to their full potential.
Compost Heap Tools
To properly tend your compost pile, you'll need the following tools:
You and the devil. To turn your compost pile, you'll need a four or five-tined garden pitchfork. Although commercial compost turning tools are available, a pitchfork can also be used for other garden tasks.
The water boy (or girl). Your compost pile may need periodic watering. You'll need a watering can or garden hose to water your compost pile as needed.
You're getting warm. A warm compost pile is an active compost pile. For the most efficient breakdown of organic material, your compost pile will need to maintain an internal temperature of between 110 and 160 degrees. While you can purchase a compost thermometer, a metal pole thrust into the middle of your pile will be warm to the touch when the pile is active.
Bring things down to size. Smaller particles create more surface area for microbes to work on, which leads to faster decomposition. Garden shears, a machete or a shedder can help to reduce large pieces of waste into smaller, faster decomposing chunks.
Care And Feeding Of Your Compost Pile
For best results, follow these tips when it comes to tending your compost pile:
Turn baby, turn! Turning your compost pile will help to keep its internal temperature high. You'll need to turn the pile every one to two weeks if adding new material on a regular basis. If you're pile is static (no new material) you can get away with turning the pile every four to six weeks. When you turn your compost pile, try to move exterior material into the center of the pile. Consider storing your pile in a compost tumbler to make the job easier.
Damp, not soaking. A compost pile needs to maintain a certain level of moisture to promote decomposition. To test your compost pile's moisture level, squeeze a handful tightly: if one or two drops of water come out, you have the right moisture level. If your pile is to dry, water it lightly. If it's too wet, add brown material to help it dry out.
Keep that thing warm. In the winter, your compost pile will cool off and may become inactive until spring. Covering your compost pile with an old tarp will help to insulate it and keep it safe from winter moisture.
Is it done yet? You'll be able to tell when you've created compost when the compost pile no longer generates heat. You should end up with a crumbly, dark brown material that is moist and smells earthy. Enjoy! Well, let your plants enjoy.
 | Making a compost pile is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to add nutrients to your soil which are perfect for a successful harvest. |
 | Build a compost pile to create a free source of organic material for your garden, and reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill. |
Learning how to make compost is a key step to a successful garden. Compost is a mysterious, almost mythical, substance to many gardeners. It can help dry soil hold more water, compacted soils regain their flexibility and poor soils bring forth bountiful organic vegetable gardens. |
Vermicomposting is a simple and enjoyable way to recycle your kitchen and garden scraps into usable compost. Vermicompost is a fancy term that means compost made by worms, and it's exactly what it sounds like: specialized worms (a type commonly known as red wigglers) eat kitchen scraps and unusable garden produce and make compost from them. |
There is a considerable amount of research being done regarding the special plant growth-promoting properties of vermicompost and the results show that worm castings really do help plants grow more quickly and develop into healthier plants than they would have in the absence of vermicompost. |
