Compost Instructions
**Found on the net**How do I make compost?
The simplest and tidiest way to make compost at home is through the use of a home composter.
The optimum composting process is caused by a combination of four elements:

·Brown organic materials - such as leaves
·Green organic materials - such as grass
·Air
·Water

By mixing together green and brown materials, a mix of nitrogen and carbon is produced. Adding air from the atmosphere and moisture from the material itself is a magical mix that will start the composting process. Ultimately compost happens whatever - so don't be too concerned that you may not have the mix exactly right.

Hints and Tips

· Placing the composter in the sun will increase the temperature inside the unit, and thus accelerate the composting process.

·To ensure good circulation within the composter, it is advisable to place a layer of twigs, cut flowers or remains of house plants at the bottom of the unit.

·Layers of fruit, vegetable and garden waste can then be added, mixed if possible. Do not, however, fill the composter beyond 80% of its capacity.

·As the composting mass is relatively moist, it will condense, reducing the amount of air in it. Regular poking or stirring with a stick or garden fork will create ventilation channels in the material, helping the composting process.



What can be composted?

Most garden waste, such as: Grass cuttings, Hedge clippings, Weeds, Old plants & garden cuttings, Vegetable wastes, Branches & twigs (cut into pieces), Fallen leaves.

Most kitchen waste, such as: Vegetable & fruit remains, Tea bags & coffee grounds, Crushed egg shells, Fruit waste, Cut flowers & house plant remains, Newspaper.

What can't be composted?

Cooked & uncooked meat. Poultry and fish are not recommended. Cat & dog faeces. Things which are not biodegradable - such as plastic and metals. Garden waste which has recently been treated with weed-killer (such as grass cuttings from a recently treated lawn).

What if I have problems?
Here are some of the common problems associated with normal composting.

·Unpleasant odours
when vegetation decomposes, it is normal for it to smell a bit. If the odour becomes unpleasant, the heap may have become too compacted. To solve this, use a garden fork or stick to lift the layers of composting mass - adding air & hence reducing odours.

·Compost is very dry
If the compost appears very dry, simply turn the material with a fork or stick, adding water whilst you do so. Alternatively, leave the composter lid open when it is raining.

·Compost is wet and slimy
If this is the case it is likely that too much "green" type waste such as grass cuttings has been added. Mix some "brown" type materials such as newspaper into the composting mass.

Quote: shortbus wrote in post #7

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Quote: Weedhopper wrote in post #6

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Yeah,,thats just a simple direction to go from everything ive read. But im sure there are many variables you could follow. Mine is pretty much what i stated above and it works real nice.

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aint nuthing wrong with keepin it simple

http://www.youtube.com/embed/n9OhxKlrWwc

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