Easy Composting Tips for the Home Gardener

Compost is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of fertilizing your vegetable garden or flowers. We all have many items around our homes that can be placed in a compost bin and turned into fertilizer. The following are a few composting tips to give you a head start.

1. If you have room a large container will work best, as it gives you more room to add things. It will also be easier to turn the pile over if it is not a tumbler style.

2. Always remember direct sunlight is the best thing for compost. If your location has partial shade it's ok, it will just take longer to break down the material than will direct sunlight.

3. Add moisture to your compost bin. Hopefully you have a rain barrell or some way of catching natural water. The chlorine in county water systems will slow down the composting process. You don't want to drown the compost pile, just keep it moist.

4. Don't let the worms get away! If you find a worm in your garden or in your yard, put them in your compost pile as they will help break the material down. Don't forget about left over worms from fishing.

5. Always keep some leaves near by, so you can cover new material you place in the compost pile. Leaves placed over the new material will hel keep the flies away, as well as keeping the odor down.

6. Always remember to areate! If you have a tumbler style compost bin, then turn it every other day. If it's a static style compost bin, then get a pitch fork or shovel and turn the pile every couple of days or so.

7. Remember to keep a list in the kitchen of things you can and can not compost, You don't want to put things in the pile that will not break down.

If you spend a little time composting you will be greatly rewarded by having the richest fertilizer and the healthiest garden around.