Backyard Composting - It is Fun and Easy!

Author: Paige Mercer

When you hear the word compost do you cringe? All the work involved and the mess just makes us want to give up before we start. But it doesn't have to be that way. Composting can be very simple and fun.  It can be a family project that kids enjoy. All it takes is little know how.

Many people buy compost in a bag at the store or in bulk at a local composting site without realizing how easy it is to make your own. Everyday waste that goes to the landfill can be made into compost that will benefit your yard and save the environment by cutting down on landfill waste.  Buy simply putting the organic waste into a backyard compost bin or pile you can do your part.

Composting occurs in nature without any help from us. Think about the floor of a forest – the rich, scent of decaying leaves and bark.  This is composting in its natural form, the dead plants break down and provide vital nutrients to the forest.  This occurs in our own yards as well, as soon as a plant dies or leaves fall, they begin to decay and start the compost process. However, we tend to get those dead plants and leaves out of our yards as quick as possible for appearance sake!

If you create an area in your yard for a compost bin or pile, you can move those decaying plants and leaves there and allow nature to takes its course.  In the end you will have nutrient rich compost that you can work back into your soil to improve its texture and nutrient contents.

You can buy compost bins that are already to use, or you can make your own. You will want one that has two chambers, one that is working on the composting process and the other that you are adding to.  Once one bin has begun the process you don't want to add anymore organic material to it or you will have to start the process all over, you don't want to find a partially composted apple in your finished product!

You can compost almost anything that is organic – yard waste, kitchen scraps, etc. Try to stay away from composting weeds to prevent the spread of the weed seeds into your compost and eventually back into your yard! It is possible for the heat generated by the composting process to kill the weed seeds, but it is better to just stay away from adding weeds to your compost.

You want a good mix of green and brown material.  Green composting material includes:

• Fresh lawn clippings
• Kitchen scraps – vegetable and fruit waste, coffee grounds, egg shells, tea bags
• Manure – chicken, rabbit, horse, cow
• Green leaves and yard clippings
• Fruit dropped from fruit trees
• Brown compost material includes:
• Brown, dry leaves
• Dried grass clippings
• Shredded corn stalks
• Straw

Add all the materials to your compost bin or pile then mix all the compost materials with a turning fork. Turning daily will speed up the composting process. Composting will occur on its own with less frequent turning, it will just take longer. Keeping the pile slightly wet will also increase the speed of composting.  Once the compost reaches a rich, dark color it is ready for use. You may want to screen it to remove large clumps.

Adding the finished compost to your garden will improve the soil and is very beneficial for the plants.  You will be richly rewarded by your composting efforts with beautiful flowers and abundant produce. Composting is great!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/backyard-composting-it-is-fun-and-easy-2894207.html

About the Author

Paige loves to garden and finding ways to make it simpler! Like using a water hose reel to control all her garden hoses! She enjoys nature, reading and watering her garden.