Build a Pile
Microbes are not much different than people in terms
of their basic needs, so be sure to provide your microbes with all of the basics:
| FOOD |
Carbon
and Nitrogen (Browns & Greens) |
| WATER |
Moist,
not soggy |
| AIR |
Oxygen
|
| VOLUME |
3'
long x 3' high x 3' deep 3-5 foot diameter by 3 feet high cylinder |
| PARTICLE
SIZE |
Less
than 2-3 inches |
Sandwich
Method
Layer compost materials/ingredients into the
composting system using a balance of Green and Brown materials. Over time, you will develop a
unique "recipe" for your composting system.
The general rules and reasons are:
| Rule |
Reason |
| 3 - 4" layers alternating Green (high
Nitrogen) and Brown (high Carbon) materials. |
Thin layers help prevent anaerobic (smelly)
pockets from developing and allows microbes access to both Green and Brown food sources. |
| Water each layer as you build it so material
is moist not wet, like a wrung sponge. |
Even distribution of moisture. |
| End with a Brown layer on top. |
To filters odors, if any, before they leave
the compost system. |
Mix-It!
Method
|
| If you are using a "no-turn"
method, or if you want to speed up the composting process, try the Mix It! Method. Simply
mix up the green and brown materials before adding them to the compost system. This
prevents the moist greens (grass clippings, for example) from forming compact layers that
may restrict the flow of water and oxygen through the pile. Add the mixture to the compost system in 4" batches. Water each batch
so that the moisture is evenly distributed. It's really difficult to get water into the
whole pile after the pile has been built, so add water as you build the pile. |
Mix materials in a wheelbarrow and then
put them in the compost bin. |
|
Adding More
You can add fresh materials to an actively (or
passively) composting pile. One way to add materials to an existing pile is to add
them as you mix or turn the pile. Burying new materials in the pile also works well.
Eventually, you will want to start a second batch of compostfor adding fresh
materials. This will give the first batch of compost time to stabilize and mature.
The materials you add will supplement the existing
food base. If you add more greens, the effect will be adding nitrogen and potenially
speeding up the composting process, increasing moisture, and/or heating up the pile.
If you add more browns, the effect will be increasing carbon, and potentially
slowing the composting process, drying out the pile, and/or reducing pile temperature. |
|
