What's the best way to create a compost pile?

Question

I live in Florida and I'm hoping to start a garden come next spring, but I'd like to add my own fertalizer (to make the food more "organic" or "natural" in a sense.) I've read some guides, but I'd like some more hands-on information from those who have "been there, done that".

-What is the best container to use?
-How often should I turn the pile?
-When should I add new waste?
-How does the humidity in the summertime affect my compost pile?
-Will the pile attract unwanteds (i.e. raccoons, mosquitos, snakes, etc.)?
-What's the best way to add compost to my garden before, once, and after it's established?

Thanks so much!

Answer 1

To create a compost pile. Try what I've down on my organic farm. 1. find some chicken wire. Make a circle shape with the chicken wire. Make sure the top and bottom are open. add dry matter such are shredded leaves or small twigs. this give you nitrogen. 2. wet vegetation such as grass clipping and kitchen waste such as vegetable peelings. mix 50/50 . The add lime to sweeten the compost. 3. Turn compost 3 times a week with garden fork. The more you turn it the faster it breaks down to compost humus.add water when dry. dry matter doesn't rot or break down. Don't water log it. To much water will take longer to break down the bacteria need air to work and water to work. you should have compost in a month if you do this. It affordable and easy way to get free compost for your garden. To keep rodents and bad insects do not put scrap meats. bones, and dog or cat waste in your compost. also by turning the compost pile you will keep the bad insects away. Be careful not to remove the good insects and micro organism that help make compost. A soon as the compost is finished you will have an earthy smell of compost. there should not be a bad odor. Then you can put it down in your garden when ready. So the more compost you make the better your garden will grow.

Answer 2

In addition to the compost pile, I also add leaves, grass clippings, etc to my garden once it's done producing. Instead of removing the garden plants once they are done, just mow over them a few times with a mulcher mower. Till everything under real good to mix everything in. I do that every fall and come spring I don't even have to till anything. Just plant. I also 'plant' my kitchen scraps directly in the garden in different spots every time. Just push the shovel in, rock it forward, drop the kitchen waste in and pull the shovel out. I have flower beds around most of my trees and instead of adding compost all the time,I just rake the leaves/grass clippings into 3' piles around my trees every fall. It breaks down over the winter and the perennials pop up in the spring right thru it. Only actually add compost every few years when I actually have to dig the perennials out and divide them.

Just some ideas you can do in addition to the basic compost pile. :-)

Answer 3

1. i don't use containers instead let the ground be the base (allow the earthworms to help in the process) and use wire mesh to make a round wall of about 3 feet in diameter and about 1 to 2 feet in height.
2. possibly once in every two days (this will help you compose rot evenly and at a faster rate.
3. i would add plant and vege waste everytime i have them (subject to your compose pile capacity of course.
4. i lived in a hot climate which i've experienced is best to have a compose pile.
5. if your pile is in the open then it wouldn't attract large creatures.
6. i'll add compose only when its fully decomposed.

Happy gardening!

Answer 4

I had two wooden slatted boxex without bottoms 4ft square.you need to throw only organic wastes in there..eggshells to zuccini skins every day if you can.put a small layer of wastes and a layer of soil or manure and then another layer of greens..garden waste or grass clippings..are you near the ocean? put lots of seaweed in too.Turn the whole pile every month or so.keep it moist.Keep layering .You neednt have a huge compost..mine was excessive because my whole garden needed amending.You can also make a square or circular pen using sturdy stakes and chicken wire..that wat is good to because there is plenty of air filtering in. So the main points..keep it well fed with layers.keep it moist..keep it turned .Dont put any meats in there..or any cooked foods or bread..you just cause a bad odor and vermin.Wait a minute now..you have awful snakes in Florida dont you ?be careful of that..they like to hide in those places.Its too cold here for bad snakes to live..we just have reqular ones.

Answer 5

My neighbor is an expert on gardening and compost. I just asked him and he sent me this link to an article he just wrote about making a compost pile - http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/136405/how_to_best_build_up_your_compost_pile.html