The first question out of people’s mouths when they start composting is how long they should wait before using it. The amount of time that it takes waste to become usable compost depends on several factors. The most obvious is what you put in it. Certain organic materials break down faster than others do. If you are willing to put in some additional work there are some things that you can do to speed up the composting process. Ideally, the bacteria that are actively breaking down your material will create enough heat energy to heat the interior of your compost pile to a temperature of nearly 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This heat is why you may be familiar with pictures of compost piles steaming on a chilly morning. You can help these heat producing bacteria out by making sure that the compost pile stays damp and by aerating the pile every few months to give them some fresh food and water. Aerating the compost can be as simple as turning the pile over with a shovel so that the outside of the pile is moved to the warm center.
The key to keeping your compost pile always in useable condition is to work from the center. When you are ready to use the compost, you will find the material in the center of the pile is the most decomposed, so use it first.
By consistently adding new waste material to the pile, you create a very slow-moving, but entirely natural, assembly line of compost.
Of course, the most satisfying moment in developing a system to make your own compost is found in the first time you actually use some of what you’ve created. Whether you are providing nutrients to the soil for your organic vegetable garden, or just trying to give a healthy boost to the dirt in your flower beds, nothing beats being able to step back and admire the rich, dark, vibrant soil that you made. As you begin to adopt composting as a lifestyle, you may find joy in experimenting with what you put in your composting piles. Keep a journal of what went into the heap and take note of how that particular batch of compost did at growing certain types of plants.
If you’ve got the desire to make your life a little bit greener, take the time to learn how to make your own compost. This is just one more way that you can create a healthy and environmentally friendly world for your kids to grow up in.
