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Waste organic matter from the house can be converted into compost and used to feed your plants. Though this organic waste will decompose by itself, you can help it a little to maximize the benefits.

Compost is not really considered a fertilizer since it does not contain a high level of essential nutrients. It is viewed more as a soil conditioner and serves many important functions. Compost attracts insects such as earthworms and improves the composition or structure of the soil.

You can try cold composting, which actually means letting the organic material simply sit in the bin. This takes much more time than hot composting where you have to turn your pile every few days to ensure proper supply of oxygen to the organisms in your pile.

Location
The first thing you have to decide is where to dig your compost pit. Check with your city and ensure that there are no by-laws or ordinances that will prevent you from having your compost pile where you want it. You must remember that a compost pile can get real messy at times so be sure to put your pile within easy reach of the hose to deal with any dirt and muck. Bugs will thrive in your new compost pile and make it their home, so keep that in mind when you are thinking of a location. A small corner of your garden that is far enough away from your home and from any neighboring properties is probably the best spot for your new compost pile.

Containers
There are a large number of composite products on the market today. There are even gadgets to shake, rattle and roll your compost for you, but truly the only investment you will need to make is a compost container. You can just fence off your compost pile or use some kind of bin or container to put your organic material in. This can either be homemade or recycled from a large plastic bin that you have lying around the house or you could buy one at your local garden center. The bins made specially for composting come in different shapes and sizes but the important thing is to keep it simple. You need not waste a lot of money on gadgets you don’t need.

Layer It
A good compost pile begins with layers of waste and soil. You can start off by layering leaves, grass clippings and more leaves over the soil and then start adding wastes from the kitchen. These include stuff like eggshells, fruit and vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds. Don’t ever add meat or pet waste to the compost pile. Once you have your first few layers of garden and kitchen waste, add a layer of soil and manure.

Moisture
Your compost pile must be kept moist, though it shouldn’t be soggy wet. You can add a little water whenever your pile looks dry. You can even consider adding some beer to your composite pile. Beer contains yeast which helps the bacteria in your compost pile stay happy. Whether you add a mixture of beer and water or simply water, the point is to keep the pile moist.

Maintenance
Your compost pile require very little maintenance. You must be sure that you continue adding garden and kitchen waste to your pile and that you also regularly mix in enough soil and manure to encourage faster decomposing. You must keep the pile moist and turn it about once in a week to improve circulation and help the decomposition process.

You will know the compost is ready when it starts looking like dark soil and has an earthy smell. You can now start using your compost in your garden! You can also use this compost in your home plants – but make sure that it is sterilized first. To do this, you should bake it in a 200F oven for around thirty minutes.

There really is no perfect way to compost. Organic matter will decompose even without your help. But it is important to find a method or style that works for you and your garden.