Composting is a natural practice that dates all the way back to biblical times.
Its a contained form of decay that provides a nutrient-rich fertilizer meaning one less expensefor your garden.
Most composters create a pile in their backyard, typically next to their garden.
St. Petersburg, Fla. resident and former Penny Hoarder writer Jen Smith uses vegetable scraps, leaves and twigs in her backyard composting barrel to make soil. Tina Russell/The Penny Hoarder
Keep the ratio 50-50.
First, add a green layer, then a brown one, and keep it moist by adding water.
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Too much water can also be counterproductive.
You should also regularly cover your compost with wood or carpet scraps to retain moisture and heat.
you might use a meat thermometer to keep checking the temperature as it rises.
It should be between 49 and 77 degrees Celsius (120 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit).
If [the temperature] falls down, just stir it a little bit.
In fact, weekly stirring with a shovel or pitchfork is crucial.
Did you know?
Dont leave your pile alone and just wait.
It may take several months to a year to be ready.
You will know that the pile is done when it stops heating up, she adds.
It should be just like dirt, with an earthy smell, and dark brown in color.
it’s possible for you to either create a compost pile or use a bin, but location matters.
If you have a small backyard, Loraine suggests talking to your neighbors first.
confirm they dont mind you making your own compost, she said.
It may produce a slight smell; however, well-managed compost piles do not smell.
Composting on a slab of concrete will prohibit worms and other organisms from easily accessing the pile.
If using a bin, Loraine advised it should be square or cone-shaped.
She emphasizes that ventilation is also important to the process.
One major deterrent to regularly composting is the inconvenience.
Keep a small compost bin under your kitchen sink.
Some compost bins have a charcoal filter at the top to prevent air from seeping out.
If you live in an apartment, choose a plastic or ceramic container.
Poke holes in the lid and the bottom of the box.
This will provide ventilation and will allow the water to drain, Loraine said.
Before layering your scraps, cut strips of paper.
Soak them in water and coat the bottom of your container.
Pour some soil on top of it, and add red wiggler worms.
Your bin should be one square foot per every pound of worms.
Cover your compost pile with soaked paper strips every time you add scraps to it.
Looking for more ways to save by composting?
Research to see if your city offers anyrebates or other incentives to residents who compost.
Contributor Timothy Moore is a writer and editor in Cincinnati.
He focuses on banks, loans and insurance plus automotive stories for The Penny Hoarder.
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