{"id":5065,"date":"2021-10-10T18:09:09","date_gmt":"2021-10-10T18:09:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=5065"},"modified":"2023-11-21T22:17:14","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T22:17:14","slug":"green-ideas-composting-101","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/green-ideas-composting-101\/","title":{"rendered":"The Basics of Backyard Composting"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ve heard gardeners talk about <em>black gold<\/em> and wondered where to find it, don\u2019t go panning in a mine &#8212; we\u2019ve got the inside scoop. Black gold by any other name is compost.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not only is it a valuable resource for your garden, but compost is also easy to make at home. In this article, we\u2019ll talk about what compost is, how it helps your soil, and how you can make it with minimal effort at home.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-5d541f9c-ecde-46e7-ad30-0c94d9e9ca1c\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">In this article:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/green-ideas-composting-101\/#0-what-is-compost\" style=\"\">What is compost?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/green-ideas-composting-101\/#1-composting-benefits\" style=\"\">Composting benefits<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/green-ideas-composting-101\/#2-composting-at-home\" style=\"\">Composting at home<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/green-ideas-composting-101\/#4-create-your-own-compost-bin\" style=\"\">Create your own compost bin<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/green-ideas-composting-101\/#5-compost-tumbler\" style=\"\">Compost tumbler<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/green-ideas-composting-101\/#6-store-bought-compost-bin-with-lid\" style=\"\">Store-bought compost bin (with lid)<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/green-ideas-composting-101\/#7-homemade-chicken-wire-bin\" style=\"\">Homemade chicken wire bin<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/green-ideas-composting-101\/#8-compost-pile\" style=\"\">Compost pile<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/green-ideas-composting-101\/#9-how-to-build-a-chicken-wire-compost-bin\" style=\"\">How to build a chicken wire compost bin<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/green-ideas-composting-101\/#10-faq-about-composting\" style=\"\">FAQ About Composting<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-what-is-compost\"><span id=\"what-is-compost\">What is compost?<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compost is a decomposed mixture of yard and kitchen waste that you can use to improve and fertilize your soil. This means when leaves, yard waste, and food scraps break down, they turn into something that can go back to the land to improve the health of soils, lawns, and crops. Pretty cool, right?<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-composting-benefits\"><span id=\"composting-benefits\">Composting benefits<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re reading this article, you probably want to improve your soil health and help preserve the environment. Compost is one of the easiest, cheapest ways to do that and is hailed by gardeners, lawn gurus, and environmentalists alike.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compost is prized by gardeners who want to enhance the health and structure of their soil. Compost provides slow-release nutrients, improves the soil structure, and improves your soil\u2019s ability to hold (or drain) water.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What if you\u2019re interested in lawn health? Compost can be used to topdress your lawn, which helps to improve the soil structure. <strong>Topdressing<\/strong> is often done when you aerate, fertilize, and overseed.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Environmentalists also sing the praises of home composting. Why? Home composting reuses food that would otherwise end up in landfills and turns your grocery dollars into something that adds value to your lawn or garden.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you\u2019re a gardener, lawn aficionado, or Earth lover, home composting has something to offer you.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Benefits of compost:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Good for all soil types: Increases water and nutrient holding capacity for sandy soils and increases drainage in heavy (clay) soils<\/li><li>Use it as a soil amendment or as a mulch to suppress weeds and regulate soil temps<\/li><li>Returns kitchen and yard waste to the Earth, not to the trash<\/li><li>Saves you money &#8212; no need to buy compost at the store<\/li><li>Helps you rely less on chemical fertilizers<\/li><li>Releases nutrients slowly, so there\u2019s no risk of burning your plants<\/li><\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Did you know?<\/strong> The FDA estimates that between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/food\/consumers\/food-loss-and-waste#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%20food%20waste%20is%20estimated%20at%20between%2030%E2%80%9340%20percent%20of%20the%20food%20supply\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">30-40 percent<\/a> of food in the U.S. is wasted at some point in the supply chain. How much does this affect your wallet? Food waste in the average home costs about <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Vra2qxbCa5k?t=18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$1,500 per year<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-composting-at-home\"><span id=\"composting-at-home\">Composting at home<\/span><\/h2>    <div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1196\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_composting-illustration-v3.png\" alt=\"infographic showing the materials used in composting. Including the most common brown and green options.\" class=\"wp-image-4929\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_composting-illustration-v3.png 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_composting-illustration-v3-201x300.png 201w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_composting-illustration-v3-685x1024.png 685w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_composting-illustration-v3-768x1148.png 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_composting-illustration-v3-610x912.png 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_composting-illustration-v3-390x583.png 390w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_composting-illustration-v3-736x1100.png 736w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most attractive things about compost, besides its amazing soil-building properties, is that you\u2019re not spending money to make it and almost anyone can do it at home.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019ll focus on outdoor composting, which requires four things: carbon, nitrogen, air, and water.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Carbon and nitrogen:<\/strong> To turn yard and kitchen scraps into compost, you need to give the microorganisms the proper diet to digest this food. Carbon and nitrogen are the key elements microorganisms need to do their job.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Carbon-rich materials<\/em> include leaves, straw, sawdust, wood chips, and paper. Think of these as the brown materials in your pile.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Nitrogen-rich materials<\/em> include grass clippings, coffee grounds, and vegetable scraps. Manure from cows, horses, poultry, and pigs is also in this category. Think of these as the green materials in your pile.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The optimal ratio of carbon (C) to nitrogen (N) (brown to green) is about 30:1. So, what does this mean for you as a home composter? It means you\u2019ll need lots of brown with a little bit of green thrown in. If you have deciduous trees, you\u2019ll likely produce much more leaf litter (brown) than kitchen waste (green), which provides an ideal balance. If your ratio is a little off, don\u2019t worry. Your pile may take a little longer to break down, though.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Air:<\/strong> Compost decomposes faster with good aeration. Keep your pile turned once per week, or turn your tumbler regularly. You can turn compost twice per week, if you wish.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water: <\/strong>You want your compost to have the consistency of a <a href=\"https:\/\/hgic.clemson.edu\/factsheet\/composting\/#:~:text=microbes%20function%20best%20when%20the%20materials%20are%20about%20as%20moist%20as%20a%20wrung-out%20sponge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">damp sponge<\/a>. If you don\u2019t have rain for a while, spray the pile with a hose or douse it with water from your rain barrels.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dos:<\/strong><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 Shred dry leaves with a lawnmower or blower\/vacuum<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 Keep more brown than green in your pile<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 Aerate regularly for faster results<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 Keep the pile as wet as a damp sponge &#8211; not too dry, not too wet<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Don\u2019ts:<\/strong><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 Add lawn clippings that have been treated with chemicals (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, or pesticides)<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 Add diseased plants or plants with an insect infestation<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 Add weeds that have gone to seed<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-what-can-i-compost-at-home-\"><span id=\"what-can-i-compost-at-home\">What can I compost at home?&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This infographic is a helpful way to visualize what works well in a home compost bin.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Do<\/strong> compost these:<\/em><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 teabags<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 coffee grounds<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 eggshells<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 house plants<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 ashes from the fireplace<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 leaves<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 grass clippings<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 fur and hair<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 pine straw<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 fruits<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 vegetables<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 weeds that haven\u2019t gone to seed<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 cardboard and newspaper (shredded)<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 wool or cotton fabric (cut into small strips)<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Don\u2019t<\/strong> compost these:<\/em><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 dairy products*<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 meat trimmings<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 fatty foods, meat, or oils<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 pet waste<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 charcoal or coal ash<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 bones<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 anything treated with chemicals<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 black walnut tree debris<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">* Experts are divided on whether to include dairy products. Some say to <a href=\"https:\/\/content.ces.ncsu.edu\/what-can-be-home-composted#section_heading_8552\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">leave them out<\/a>, while others say <a href=\"https:\/\/www.luc.edu\/sustainability\/campus\/recycling\/composting\/#:~:text=All%20food%E2%80%94fruits%2C%20vegetables%2C%20meat%2C%20fish%2C%20bones%2C%20cheese%2C%20grains\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dairy products are acceptable<\/a> to include.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pro Tip: <\/strong>If you don\u2019t have a yard (meaning no grass clippings or leaf litter), vermicomposting (AKA worm composting) and bokashi composting are ways you can recycle your kitchen waste. These methods use worms or fermentation, respectively, to break down kitchen food waste.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-create-your-own-compost-bin\"><span id=\"create-your-own-compost-bin\">Create your own compost bin<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before we get into how to DIY a backyard compost bin, know that there are a few ways to create outdoor compost:&nbsp;<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Tumbler<\/li><\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Bin<\/li><\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Pile<\/li><\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each has benefits and drawbacks.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-compost-tumbler\"><span id=\"compost-tumbler\">Compost tumbler<\/span><\/h3>    <div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-tumbler.jpg\" alt=\"plastic barrel on a wood frame for composting\" class=\"wp-image-5684\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-tumbler.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-tumbler-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-tumbler-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-tumbler-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-tumbler-610x458.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-tumbler-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-tumbler-390x293.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Karen and Brad Emerson | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/karenandbrademerson\/3560384222\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flickr<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Price:<\/strong> High<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How easy is it to turn the compost?<\/strong> Very easy<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Capacity:<\/strong> Limited<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can critters get inside? <\/strong>No<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Space needed: <\/strong>Moderate<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Durability:<\/strong> Generally high, but depends on the product<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-store-bought-compost-bin-with-lid\"><span id=\"store-bought-compost-bin-with-lid\">Store-bought compost bin (with lid)<\/span><\/h3>    <div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Black_domestic_compost_bin.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_compost-bin-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"black, plastic compost bins in a row\" class=\"wp-image-5685\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_compost-bin-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_compost-bin-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_compost-bin-610x813.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_compost-bin-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_compost-bin.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Caroline Ford | <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Black_domestic_compost_bin.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wikimedia Commons<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a>  <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Price:<\/strong> Medium<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How easy is it to turn the compost?<\/strong> <meta charset=\"utf-8\">Can be difficult. You don\u2019t have leverage if you\u2019re mixing from the top because the bin is closed on four sides.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Capacity:<\/strong> Limited<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can critters get inside? <\/strong>No<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Space needed: <\/strong>Moderate<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Durability:<\/strong> Generally high, but depends on the product<\/p>    <div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-bin-square.jpg\" alt=\"homemade compost bin made with wood and chicken wire\" class=\"wp-image-5682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-bin-square.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-bin-square-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-bin-square-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-bin-square-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-bin-square-610x458.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-bin-square-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-bin-square-390x293.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>mjmonty | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/mjmonty\/3339134710\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flickr<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-homemade-chicken-wire-bin\"><span id=\"homemade-chicken-wire-bin\">Homemade chicken wire bin<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Price:<\/strong> Low<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How easy is it to turn the compost?<\/strong> Can be difficult. You don\u2019t have leverage if you\u2019re mixing from the top because the bin is closed on four sides.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Capacity:<\/strong> <meta charset=\"utf-8\">Unlimited. Customize the size you need.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can critters get inside? <\/strong>Yes<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Space needed: <\/strong>Moderate<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Durability:<\/strong> Low<\/p>    <div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"581\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-pile.jpg\" alt=\"Large pile of compost with a wheel barrow next to and i sign stuck in it that reads &quot;Compost&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-5683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-pile.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-pile-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-pile-768x558.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-pile-610x443.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-pile-390x283.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Oregon State University | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/oregonstateuniversity\/36631551214\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flickr<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-compost-pile\"><span id=\"compost-pile\">Compost pile<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Price:<\/strong> No cost<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How easy is it to turn the compost?<\/strong> <meta charset=\"utf-8\">Pile is open, so you have good leverage with a pitchfork.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Capacity:<\/strong> Unlimited. <\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can critters get inside? <\/strong>Yes<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Space needed: <\/strong>High for a large compost pile<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Durability:<\/strong> None<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Experts note that finished compost can take from two months to two years. Compost tumblers with an ideal C:N ratio can take as little as <a href=\"https:\/\/hgic.clemson.edu\/factsheet\/composting\/#:~:text=be%20ready%20in-,two%20to%20four%20months,-.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">two to four months<\/a>, while large, unattended piles can take as long as <a href=\"https:\/\/hgic.clemson.edu\/factsheet\/composting\/#:~:text=This%20method%20can%20take%20from%20six%20months%20to%20two%20years%20or%20longer%20to%20produce%20compost%2C%20so%20be%20patient\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">two years<\/a>. (If you don\u2019t aerate &#8212; turn &#8212; the piles, the process is much slower.) You\u2019ll know you have finished compost when it looks like dark, crumbly soil with few or no pieces of recognizable debris.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-how-to-build-a-chicken-wire-compost-bin\"><span id=\"how-to-build-a-chicken-wire-compost-bin\">How to build a chicken wire compost bin<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re new to composting and want to start small, consider a chicken wire bin.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How to build a chicken wire composting bin:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Buy a roll of standard chicken wire.<\/li><li>Flatten it out the best you can.<\/li><li>Take the flattened wire and form it into a cylinder.<\/li><li>Secure the ends with wire ties or whatever you have around the house.<\/li><li>Add mostly browns with a little bit of greens.<\/li><li>Use a pitchfork to turn once per week.<\/li><\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Word to the wise:<\/strong> Even though compost does contain beneficial nutrients for your soil, <a href=\"https:\/\/hgic.clemson.edu\/factsheet\/composting\/#:~:text=Think%20of%20compost%20as%20a%20soil%20amendment%20and%20not%20as%20a%20fertilizer%2C%20since%20the%20nutrient%20level%20of%20compost%20is%20low%20and%20released%20over%20time\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Clemson University<\/a> notes that homeowners should consider compost primarily as a soil amendment rather than a fertilizer. Its nutrients are released slowly over time, so consider fertilization as a separate gardening chore.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-faq-about-composting\"><span id=\"faq-about-composting\">FAQ About Composting<\/span><\/h2>    <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1631113861899\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"> 1. Will my compost pile smell?\u00a0 <\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">It shouldn\u2019t. If the pile smells rotten, it likely has too much water or too little air. Turn the pile to add air, and don\u2019t water it for a while. If it\u2019s too wet, use a tarp if your pile or bin doesn\u2019t have a cover. This will prevent it from getting wet on the next rainy day. <\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1631113883620\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">2. What about critters?\u00a0 <\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">In a thriving compost pile with a good C:N ratio, this shouldn\u2019t be a problem. If you\u2019ve added fatty foods or meat, this may make you susceptible to raccoons, opossums, and other wildlife getting into your compost pile. <\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1631113902952\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">3. How can I produce compost fast?\u00a0 <\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">First, it may take a little trial and error, but once you get a good C:N ratio, the pile will break down at an optimal speed. Second, piles will break down more quickly in warm months or warm climates. Finally, if you want to speed the composting process even more, you can do what\u2019s called \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/hgic.clemson.edu\/factsheet\/composting\/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CFast%E2%80%9D%20Compost%20Recipe%3A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fast composting<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0<br\/><br\/>According to Clemson, this will produce finished compost in \u201ca couple of months.\u201d This works if you\u2019re starting a new pile. <br\/><br\/> Layer your compost: (aka \u201clasagna composting\u201d):<br\/><br\/>&#8212; Add a few inches of sticks on the ground to increase airflow and water drainage (optional)<br\/>&#8212; Add a layer of brown (keep the brown to green ratio about 3:1)<br\/>&#8212; Add a layer of green<br\/>&#8212; Mix the layers with a pitchfork or similar tool<br\/>&#8212; Add moisture if needed (\u201cwet sponge consistency\u201d)<br\/>&#8212; Add an inch or two of finished compost, manure, or garden soil\u00a0<br\/>&#8212; Repeat, until you run out of organic materials or fill your bin<br\/>&#8212; Turn the pile twice per week<br\/><br\/>  Ideally, you should do this in spring or summer. <br\/><br\/><strong>Note:<\/strong> Make sure your pile, bin, etc., is between <a href=\"https:\/\/hgic.clemson.edu\/factsheet\/composting\/#:~:text=Piles%20smaller%20than%203%20feet%20x%203%20feet%20x%203%20feet%20have%20trouble%20holding%20this%20heat%2C%20while%20piles%20larger%20than%205%20feet%20x%205%20feet%20x%205%20feet%20prevent%20enough%20air%20from%20reaching%20the%20center%20of%20the%20pile%20and%20the%20microbes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3 feet and 5 feet<\/a> square. If you have a wire bin, make it at least 3 feet in circumference. The shape doesn\u2019t matter (square, circle, etc.), but it has to be big enough to hold enough heat to decompose.\u00a0 <br\/><br\/>If all the ratios, moisture, and air are in balance, the pile should start to heat up and reach its hottest point in the first several weeks. <strong>Caution: <\/strong>Don\u2019t let the pile get over about 140 degrees Fahrenheit (turn the pile to reduce the temperature). Microorganisms start to die if the temps get too hot.\u00a0\u00a0 <br\/><br\/>If you take a temperature reading, the pile should be between 90 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit for several weeks before the temps start to decline. The decomposition is most efficient in this temperature range, and 140 degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature at which many common <a href=\"https:\/\/agrilifeextension.tamu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/composting-to-kill-weed-seeds.pdf#page=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">weed seeds<\/a> will die.\u00a0 <br\/><br\/><strong>Tip: <\/strong>When you take a reading, put the thermometer in the center of the pile at least 12 inches deep. Buy a special composting thermometer for this purpose. They\u2019re easy to find online or in a local home improvement store. <\/p> <\/div> <\/div>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>If your uber-productive garden is thriving with all of your well-aged compost, contact a <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.lawnlove.com\"><em>local lawn care pro<\/em><\/a><em> to take lawn care off your growing season to-do list.<\/em><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Photo Credit: Lenka Dzurendova | <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/FTCQPjPfFS4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Unsplash<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve heard gardeners talk about black gold and wondered where to find it, don\u2019t go panning in a mine [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":5069,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[126],"tags":[132,147],"class_list":["post-5065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-tips","tag-gardening","tag-lawn-care"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_lenka-dzurendova-ftcqpjpffs4-unsplash.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Sarah Bahr","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/sarah-bahr\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5065","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5065"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5065\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5065"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5065"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5065"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}