If you’re guilty of any of these composting mistakes, don’t worry!
It’s easy to get your compost pile back on track.
Composting is the ultimate recycling activity.
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Mix air, water,kitchen scraps, and yard trimmings for soil composting, then wait.
But the devil, as they say, is in the details.
Although making compost isn’t rocket science, thereisa little science involved.
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A few missteps in the process can lead to some serious frustration.
Here are tips to avoid the following common composting mistakes.
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1.
The rule of thumb is to combine 3 parts brown with 1 part green.
Too much green will result in a mushy, smelly mess.
And too much brown will slow decomposition.
These will smell bad as they decompose and attractpests like roachesand rats.
Animal waste and soiled diapers aren’t good either because they aren’t sanitary and can cause diseases.
Also, avoid grass clippings from areas treated with weed killers or sawdust from treated wood.
They could add chemicals to the pile that may later harm your garden plants.
And it’s safest to leave out any diseased plants or large weeds.
Although the compost’s heat will kill some disease organisms and weed seeds, many often survive.
Skipping a Starter
Where do those hardworking microscopic creatures that transform garbage into gold come from?
One option to jump-start things is to buy acompost starter.
It’s usually apparent when this happens because your pile will be a smelly, soggy mess.
If you have this problem, mix in moredry fallen leaves, straw, or shredded paper.
However, if your home is closer to your neighbors, covers area good idea for aesthetic reasons.
They also may be a municipal requirement in some suburban and urban areas.
A covering also will help hold in heat, which is especially important in winter.
Commercial bins usually include a cover.
A simple sheet of plywood over the top is enough if you’reconstructing your own compost bin.
Not Aerating
As soil composting progresses, the center of the pile can become oxygen-starved.
Stirring up the pile helps get air to all parts.
Once you mix enough material, don’t add any more so what’s there can cook.
With more surface area, microbes can do their work much faster.
No problem,just sift them outand toss them in with the batch that’s still in progress.
Now it’s ready for your garden!
