RESTORE THE EARTH * PART 1 * PART 2
* PART 4
WOW! I'm so impressed with your eagerness to compost! I am trying to make this as simple as possible. Part of the confusion is information that complicates a simple natural procedure.
CREATING GARDEN GOLD
What To Put Into Your Compost:
- kitchen waste excluding animal products
- coffee grounds promote breakdown - some cafe's are more than happy to give you their grounds
- yard waste - tough sunflower or corn stalks will break down easier if you first break them up
- leaves & grass clippings - these will clump, so mix with other materials
Precautions
- wear gloves - complex soil and composting organisms can be harmful
- animal products - meat trimmings, manure, contain harmful organisms that can affect growing vegetables, thus your health
Composting Containment 
- Heap or Pile - simplest form
- Plastic Compost Bin - difficult to control and least effective
- Single bin or 2 or 3 side by side bins - easily banged together using wooden pallettes
Layering Recipe For Hot Compost - the purpose of layering is to get all elements eventually mixed to maximize breakdown.
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FIRST LAYER - up to six inches waste - Use a garden fork to level out each layer.
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Water over the entire surface, especially for dry materials like leaves. If this layer is all kitchen waste or fresh grass clippings, it may already be pretty wet.
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SOIL LAYER - Cover the waste layer with several scoops of garden soil, sprinkling composted
or even partially composted material over the entire surface.
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REPEAT & CONTINUE LAYERING
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CONTINUE WATERING - check the heap frequently for dryness. Use the garden hose to moisten dry 'edges'.
TURNING
- Turning over the heap mixes in oxygen and creates increased contact between micro-organisms and waste materials
- whether you have a big heap or a small one, compost should be turned every 3 - 6 weeks
- Use the fork to turn over the entire mass, into the next bin, or space adjacent.
- With the plastic bin, perhaps empty & refill it
FEEL THE HEAT !
- Check for heat in a week, by placing your hand on the top center
- Heat in a working compost can be noticed sometimes within a week
- A small compost is less likely to achieve the 'heat' of a larger contained heap
- If the compost does not achieve the 'heat', it needs air, water, &/or organisms (soil)
NOTES
- A loose cover can help keep moisture in - remember though that air is needed
- animal waste and manure may be composted, but requires special treatment and should be fully composted for 6 months before use on food crops.
- Consistency & wetness should be about that of a damp sponge
- Water well in hot weather - can dry out very quickly
That's it!
What's the magic? 1) water 2) oxygen 3) organisms - in soil 
When Is It Ready? - when it no longer looks like what it started out as, just beautiful rich brown humous - like this ->->->
Next Time
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Composting Organisms
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Easy Composting Tips
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Why Compost Fails
- Tips For Animal Waste
http://www.squidoo.com/how_to_composting
Let me know how you're doing and if you have any questions as you go along.
(Thank goodness Photo Bucket has so many great images!) http://i110.photobucket.com/
Deborah Pearce is a Kelowna Business Woman, established with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, and Business for over 20 years.
Link to Living Spaces website for over 140 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interiors.
Deborah's blog frequently features interior design, real estate, community, environmental art and human interests. All guest comments below will be answered.
It cannot fail - you just need to keep applying the right elements. Good luck and happy composting.
Hello and thank you Jackie! Yes, manure is great compost as well, but does need to well composted as you noted. I've heard of 'green' manure, but really not sure what it is. Perhaps you can tell me?
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