The Basic Organic Compost Recipe

The organic compost recipe is quite simple: In order to end up with a crumbly, dark, soil-like humus, regardless the process you choose to use (and there are many processes you can choose from), you must supply your compost pile with this basic compost recipe: the proper amount and combination of food, air, and water.

Food:

To begin, composting is a very basic process. For food, you can simply toss grass clippings and leaves in a heap and let nature do the rest in its own good time. Or you can help it along by providing specific amounts of "green" and "brown" ingredients to create a home that meets the micro-organisms' needs and also to produce a balanced diet for the micro-organisms who will do most of the work.

Air

Your composting pile will end up producing Aerobic Decomposition or Anaerobic Decomposition, depending on how much oxygen is added to the pile on a regular basis.

Air provides oxygen and enables bacteria to carry out "aerobic" decomposition. Without the proper amount of oxygen, "anaerobic" decomposition of the waste may take place instead. Anaerobic decomposition is something you normally want to avoid since anaerobic bacteria produce the rotten-egg smell often associated with decay.

There are two methods of aerobic composting: hot composting and cold composting. Hot composting demands that the pile have enough air and the proper amount of moistness to help it heat up. A "cold" compost pile will decompose as surely as a "hot" one, but it will take much longer.

Cold composting is slow but it's easy. Someone with more space for compost than physical energy and time to devote to it may opt for the "cold" approach. This could also be the method to choose if your primary concern is reducing waste rather than making quantities of compost.

In contrast, hot composting is a fairly fast method of creating compost and makes efficient use of smaller spaces. It does take more physical effort than cold composting, but gardeners who want as much compost as possible will usually choose this method.

Water

You must not add too much water to the point that the compost pile is soggy, nor can you let the compost pile become too dry. The compost pile must be kept moist like a wrung out sponge.

In summary, to end up with a pile of finished Organic Compost (often referred to as Backyard Magic), follow this easy basic organic compost recipe. Having the right amount and combination of food, air (oxygen), and moisture will allow you to benefit from this unique sweet forest-floor-smelling compost which is like magic to a gardener's senses.