DIY: Compost

 
 

We’re running it back this week with another DIY! Last week we shared how to make your potting soil at home and compost was a key ingredient. So naturally, we’re going to write a follow up blog all about compost! Let’s get started —

 
 

why compost?

Composting is an eco-friendly, sustainable, and budget-friendly form of nutrients for your landscape. Organic matter is pretty absent in most soils you find in store, which leaves your plants not only nutrient deficient, but also brittle and prone to diseases. Here are some benefits that come from said organic matter:

  • Strengthens your soil’s absorbability of both oxygen and water

  • Organic matter will break up over time into healthy food and minerals that your plants will eat up

 
 
 

tools & ingredients

It’s a misconception that you just throw things into a pile and poof!, you have a nutritious compost. However, it also doesn’t have to feel intimidating by any means. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Essential tools:

  • Gardening gloves (you won’t want to miss this!)

  • Large metal trash bin (32 gallon or larger) with a lid to store your compost mix

  • 5 gallon bucket for measurement purposes

  • Shovel to mix ingredients

  • Drill to make holes at the bottom of the trash bin for drainage and a handful of holes on the lid for ventilation (a trusty hammer and nail will also work just fine if you don’t own a drill)

  • Hose or watering can

  • Compost thermometer

  • Pitch fork to break down stubborn materials and aerate your compost

Typical ingredients used:

  • Greens

    • Leftover food scraps: eggshells, coffee grounds, fruit/veggies

    • Outdoor debris: grass, dry fallen leaves, weeds

  • Browns

    • Wood chips

    • Cardboard

    • Straw

  • Gardening soil (this will be your base)

 
 

COMPOST PROCESS

Rule of thumb: 2 buckets brown for every 1 bucket green

  1. Throw down 1 bucket of your potting soil that you purchased from the store to establish as your base. Water it til moist.

  2. Pour 1 bucket of green, spreading it as evenly as possible

  3. Pour 2 buckets of brown, spreading it as evenly as possible

  4. Repeat this process until you have a full pile

  5. Evenly water your compost pile until it begins to drain. Note: you’re going to want to keep your compost moist, so check on it as much as you need to ensure the proper moisture.

  6. Finally, utilize your thermometer. Stick it into the center and securely close the lid. Within 4-5 days, it should reach 100-140 degrees, which means it’s time to “turn” your compost. “Turning” means that you’d grab your shovel and pitch fork to thoroughly mix the compost and break down any clumps you may find.

  7. When it’s time to turn your compost, make sure you also give it a good water. The more diligent you are with turning it at the ideal temperature and maintaining good moisture, the faster you’ll get the results you desire.

  8. The completed compost should be done in about 20 days or less! You’ll know it’s ready when the compost is darker in color, loose and the organic matter is no longer visible; it will look like soil! Another detail to notice is the smell - it will smell earthy and not rotten. It’s normal for the compost to have reduced in size.

 
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HOW TO USE IT

Well, there you have it! Your very own compost to add on top of your garden beds or to mix into your own DIY potting soil (or into a store bought potting soil). Check out how create your own DIY Potting Soil using your finished compost! Here’s how we suggest utilizing it:

  • If mixing into a soil: mix 4 parts soil with one part compost (measurements will differ depending on how much surface area you’re covering). We recommend never exceeding 25% compost within your soil mixture.

  • To determine how much compost to place on top of your garden beds, use a Compost Calculator

That’s everything! Don’t forget to enjoy the process of being outside and making something from scratch! We are honored to have assisted you with another DIY project. See you soon!