How do i build a compost pile? Yes i have done research myself but would like to hear from others?

Answer 1

all you have to do is take your trash, and sperate it before you throw it away. stuff like lefover food, banana peels, anything that will decompose, put it in your compost box. then like, every other month, take a shovel and mix it up.

Answer 2

An excellent reference for composting is "A Green Guide to Yard Care", pages 9 to 19 (of a 28 page paper) which deal specifically with all aspects of composting. The entire paper is available from the website of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/ (In the upper right of the TCEQ home page is a Site Search box. Type: A Green Guide to Yard Care. Hit the Go button. (You need the free software,
Adobe Acrobat Reader, that is downloadable from the web site. )

Note: Table 3 on pages 10 and 11 lists possible compost pile ingredients with Yes, No, and Caution recommendations. While nearly anything that came from a living organism can be composted, given the correct method for that material, the most practical and safe approach for home composters is to NOT add listed materials which carry the "Caution" label to a home compost pile. The table explains why the material is labeled "Caution" rather than "Yes". Improperly cared-for compost piles or those which have had oily, meat, or dairy products added can attract pests (rats, raccoons, squirrels, dogs, cats, etc.)

In my classes on Healthy Soil & Composting, I stress the first rule of composting is "Compost happens!" What we do, and
how we do it influences the speed of the process and the quality of the resulting compost. But it is a totally natural process which will occur if we don't do things that interrupt that natural process.

Regardless of whether one does hot composting or cold composting, the 4 crucial elements are carbon (brown stuff such as fallen leaves), nitrogen (green stuff such as bush trimmings, mown grass), oxygen (the air around us), and water.

Too wet and process slows or stops (turn it with a pitch fork). Too dry and the same happens (sprinkle it). Too much nitrogen and the process changes from aerobic decomposition (sweet earth-smelling) to anaerobic decomposition (sour or stinky smelling). So, re-balance the mixture by adding and turning in brown leaves. Too much brown and the process is slower (cold composting), so add green.

Alternatives to "green" material include cotton seed meal (from animal feed store) or coffee grounds (from your local coffee shops). Both of these have about 5-6% nitrogen content. Use the coffee grounds while reasonably fresh as they lose their nitrogen content over a 2 or 3 week span.

Finally, don't sweat it! It will happen. Also, there is no need to add earth worms. Build a good compost pile and the earth worms will come, as will all the other living organisms that make
soil healthy and able to support and nourish plants

Answer 3

A contained pile will be easier to control and look better than just a "heap" in the backyard. If you don't want to spend the money on a manufactured barrel or something, you can easily build one yourself. Just dig four postholes and put down some 4 x 4 posts in a reasonably large square (depending on how big your yard is and your family!) as high as you feel is good (ours was about 3 1/2 feet). Put several 2 x 6 boards around 3 sides of the square, leaving about 2 - 3 inches between each row (breathing space). Keep the front open, or make yourself a removable gate to help keep things from "tumbling out" the front.

Now, just load in some old soil (helps as a "starter"), leaves, old weeds, biodegradable trash from the house, etc. Water once in a while (helps decomp) and turn often as well with a good, long-tined pitchfork. Once per year, empty out the "good" soil and use in your garden.

Have fun!!

Answer 4

At the local County agent offices you might be able to find out where you can purchase the special plastic compost bins that are open to the bottom and have a trapdoor on top.
To install it you need to dig a shallow hole, place the compost can on top and start filling it with egg shells, banana peels or rotten fruits and veggies that you might have forgotten in the refrigerator. Keep the trap door closed - this will keep the smell to a minimum - and the neighboring cats or dogs or whatever, will not be able to go in and dig around.
Don't add meat or bones as the rodents will discover them and move in.
The nice things about these compost bins are that they look decent in any garden and no wandering critters can mess around in your composting plants. Yo are creating Garden Gold, good luck

Answer 5

collect all of your organic wastes, and put it in some sort of box in the yard. Throw some soil on top and let it sit. Beware that it WILL smell! Try mixing it with a shovel every once in a while, but basically let it sit! If you have access to earth worms or maggots, you might want to add them to make the pile airy, but if you put your own soil there are probably tiny worm eggs that will hatch! Have Fun!
P.S. make sure you only use organic wastes! Things like metal or plastic will ruin the compost pile!

Answer 6

A compost pile

Answer 7

I like to use chicken wire, enough to make a circle if you want you can cut wire hangers into "U"'s to hold the chicken wire circle in place. Drop in your wilted lettuce fruits/veggies, leaves and occasionally lime (to cut the stinky-ness). Unfortunately, my Honey's idea of compost is; Dig a hole throw stuff in. As much as I hate it that works too, and you should see the green pepper plants growing around it.

Answer 8

start with stuff that is biodegradable and add some earth worms and shred news paper, I used to work for a City and we built those for when we taught kids at the schools. Add like old fruit and veggies, you have to stir it once a day or so. Put it in a box that can get ventilation.

Answer 9

lazy woman's way...
put leaves in black plastic bag..poke hole to let rain in... let set in sun for one year... this is really more like humus but still good for plants
moderate work...
buy black plastic bin or trashcan ..poke holes in top and bottom for drainage... add kitchen and lawn waste occasionally, keep damp...let set for 6 months to a year and then use bottom of 'pile' first... if really energetic..turn pile with pitchfork or roll can on ground to stir...sorry I really don't get into the whole 'green-brown-turning' thing..but I still get good compost for my plants.

Answer 10

i HAVE THREE, THEY CONSIST OF LEAVES,LOAM,-LYME,GARBAGE WAST FROM HOUSE.AND i ADD PELLET FERTILIZER ON IT, HELP BREAK DOWN, AND WATER
i USE RUBBER BINS WITH HOLE IN THEM,