Restore The Earth  Series PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 

Some Notions That Make Composting Difficult AND Crazy:

1. Composting without BUGS
2. Composting without mold 
3. Enzymatic composting ??? if you want to complicate it, go for it!

1) Composting Bugs & Organisms - break down waste

• Bugs are natural decomposers. Sow bugs, earthworms, centipedes, beetles, among many others.
• Common green mold was BORN to compost
• If you have a healthy (moist) compost, there will be lots of bugs; earthworms are terrific.
• Decomposing bugs will be happy in a healthy compost and leave the gardens alone
• Bugs leave completely composted humous for new new waste - keep it coming!
• various complex levels of micro-organisms are involved in creating heat up to 160'.

2) Easy Composting Tips

• Dig waste directly into the garden between the rows. It will break down very quickly this way during the warm growing season, feeding plant roots.
• Leaves in the fall, can be turned into the garden soil; turn again in early spring a couple of times, before planting 

3) Why Compost Fails

• not enough moisture
• insufficient mix of moisture, organisms, with waste 
• If the compost doesn't appear to be 'working', do the layering process over

4) Tips For Animal Waste - manure, meat, etc.

• can be composted (separately) instead of throwing in the garbage  
• carries potentially harmful organisms
• manure is still great for growing, but needs to be completely composted for at least 6 months before application to food crops
• keep separate from main compost, but layer & maintain the same way
• can be dug (at least 8") into the ground around ornamental plants - not too close 

http://www.squidoo.com/how_to_composting

Next Time

• How much compost does the garden need?
• Weed Seeds & Diseased Plants
• Keeping Pests Out
• Bugs In The Garden