Hints for a Good Compost

Compost is very good for plants. Unfortunately it doesn' t always work like it should. Here I have written some hints for making a good, healthy compost.

Step 1: What to Add (And What Not to Add)

For your compost pile to properly decompose into a proper compost it needs to contain the proper ingredients.

Things to add to a compost pile:

-Paper/Cardboard (Not waxed)
-Garden waste (Avoid weeds with seeds and rhizomes to prevent their spread)
-Coffee grounds and Tea leaves
-Mushrooms
-Eggshells (Cleaned from the yolk and egg whites)
-Kitchen waste

Things that shouldn't be put in compost:

-Meat
-Egg whites and yolks
-Dairy products
-Manure (Some is OK to put in compost but some may have parasites)

Step 2: Container and Care

The container which contains compost should have openings for proper aeration. The process of composting is an aerobic decomposition process. If the compost doesn't get enough air a anaerobic decomposition process might happen which is rotting.
Also for a compost pile to properly decompose it needs to be moist for the micro-organisms which do the composting to decompose the pile. This means that in dry weather watering may be needed. Although water is needed too much of it may get rid of oxygen in the pile letting unwanted anaerobic decomposition to happen.

Step 3: Helpful Herbs

Composting usually takes a rather long time but there are ways to make the process faster. Some herbs such as Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) can speed up the decomposition process. One small finely chopped leaf of the Yarrow plant can speed up the decomposition of a whole wheelbarrel of compost. Also Camomile when put on a compost pile it promotes its decomposition.

Step 4: Other Ways of Speeding the Process Up

There are yet other ways of speeding the decomposition process up such as:

-Adding old compost will add more of the micro-organisms that are needed
-Adding fertilizers, manures, or other things rich in nitrogen
-Adding worms
-Good aeration
-Adding some saprophytic fungi

Step 5: End Product

Once all the micro-organisms in the compost pile with your help decompose all of the matter you've put in it you'll have an natural and organic compost which will help all of you plants grow big and healthy.