Tips On Composting
|
|
|
- The composting process works best when the organic pieces are small. Weeds and trimmings should be shredded. To get finished compost quickly, make sure you chop or shred everything you put in the composter, turn it often, and occasionally throw in a shovel full of soil.
-
When adding food waste dig it into the compost pile immediately, or cover with a thin layer of soil.
-
Don't add thick layers of any one kind of waste. Grass should not be more than 6 cm deep, leaves up to 15 cm deep (cut or chop or dry and crumble them). If you can, let grass dry first or mix it with dry, coarse material such as leaves to prevent compacting.
-
The composter contents should be moist like a wrung-out sponge. If the contents are too dry, it will take overly long to compost; if too wet, the contents may begin to smell.
-
Turn or mix the compost every couple of weeks or each time you add new material. This keeps the compost well aerated.
-
Composting can be done in the winter. You can add materials to your composter all winter long. The breakdown process slows down or stops when the pile is frozen, but it will start up again in the spring. Thorough turning in the spring will reactivate the pile. Empty the composter in the fall to make plenty of room.
-
Keep your composter lid securely fastened.
