I rented a new home, and the scenery was breathtaking. The weather was great, and plants were flowering everywhere except in my backyard garden.
I couldn’t figure out why my garden wasn’t thriving for a few months. I looked at numerous gardening approaches, such as frequent watering and mulching, but the results were slow.
Following a thorough investigation, I determined that the soil in which my garden was situated was impoverished.
Growing a garden on depleted soil can be a real pain. An infertile soil lacks very important nutrients that your plants require to develop, and learning how to make a compost pile in your backyard will bring your garden to its full splendor.
Contents
- How to Make a Compost Pile in your Backyard
- 1. Know the right Materials to use
- 1. Brown materials include sawdust, dried leaves, and tree trunks.
- 2. Green materials are a good source of nitrogen.
- 3. Water
- 2. Choose the ideal place for your composting
- 3. Combine the green and brown material
- 4. Maintain your pile
- 5. Ready to use
- FAQs- How to Make a Compost Pile in your Backyard
- Does a compost pile need a bottom?
- Should a compost bin be in the sun or shade?
- Should a compost bin be covered?
- Is it necessary to wash eggshells before composting them?
- Can you put weeds in a compost bin?
- Does a compost bin need air?
- Author
How to Make a Compost Pile in your Backyard
1. Know the right Materials to use
Making a compost pile is the most straightforward technique of producing compost manure, and because it is on the ground, worms will help in the compost’s rapid cooking.
It is critical to understand the ingredients needed to construct a compost pile. There are three essential materials, which are as follows:
1. Brown materials include sawdust, dried leaves, and tree trunks.
They offer carbohydrates to the microorganism. It is critical to use plant-based materials to ensure no chemicals are put into the compost.
2. Green materials are a good source of nitrogen.
They provide proteins for bacteria and fungi to break the material faster. Any green material will work; coffee grounds are the best for me.
3. Water
It will ensure that your compost is wet and that the compost temperature is regulated but not soak it.
Maintain an equal ratio of green and brown material. Too much green stuff can stink up your yard, while too much brown material will cause your compost to cook slower.
Avoid using chess or meat since they will attract rats and take a long time for microorganisms to break down. If you compost fruit peels, you will also create unnecessary file clutter.
Instead, get worm food. The worm food will attract worms to your compost to increase decomposition.
2. Choose the ideal place for your composting
The position of your compost should be easily accessible while also not obstructing the view of your backyard. It should be conveniently accessible because you will constantly add fresh components and use the completed compost.
An easily accessible pile will be easy to water during the dry season.
Also: Best lawn tractor carts
3. Combine the green and brown material
A 2-inch-thick layer of straw will provide good drainage for your compost if you’re starting from scratch. Make sure you have enough materials to begin making your compost.
While layering your material, adequate moisture will play a significant part in achieving faster and better results. It would be best to start with some garden soil or animal manure to jump-start the process.
It is also effective to use three parts brown material to one-part green material.
4. Maintain your pile
Good compost will necessitate regular upkeep. The process is straightforward; all you have to do is keep your compost at a temperature ranging from 40 to 430 degrees Celsius.
Every four weeks, keep turning and watering your compost. Turning can be difficult, but it will guarantee that your compost is properly aerated. Check out this tumbling compost bin that can make managing your pile a snap.
Watering is essential for controlling your compost temperature and ensuring maximum microbial activity. You should water it evenly and avoid overwatering because too much water will cause your materials to degrade and smother the microorganisms.
5. Ready to use
When your compost is ready for use, it will turn brown and stop releasing heat. Then you’ll know it’s time to feed the garden.
FAQs- How to Make a Compost Pile in your Backyard
Does a compost pile need a bottom?
In a compost pile, the bottom is unimportant. Furthermore, you will want ground bacteria and worms to assist you in composting the materials.
See also: What do you do with chunks of grass?
However, if the ground is unsuitable, you can spread some straws to facilitate appropriate drainage or dig a hole.
Should a compost bin be in the sun or shade?
The sun will raise the temperature of the soil, encouraging bacterial activity on the compost material. As a result, your compost will cook faster.
All you have to do is make sure the compost doesn’t dry out. So, exposing your compost to the light is perfectly fine.
Should a compost bin be covered?
It is not advisable to cover the materials while they are still cooking. The substance will require a large amount of oxygen to guarantee that the process proceeds as quickly as possible.
However, covering it is critical if the material is ready because it will prevent further compost decomposition due to elements and loss of nutrients.
Is it necessary to wash eggshells before composting them?
Calcium is an essential macronutrient for plants, and adding eggshells will offer it.
However, make sure the eggshell is fully empty; otherwise, it may attract rodents, which will wreak havoc on your compost heap.
As a result, washing them can be very beneficial.
How to remove tree stump by hand
Can you put weeds in a compost bin?
Like any other green plant, weeds can be classified as a green substance. Consider utilizing young weeds to help them decompose faster and make excellent compost.
They will not harm your compost.
Does a compost bin need air?
Yes, since composting needs microbes that can only work under aerobic processes. Therefore, you should ensure your bin has holes to allow proper air circulation.
Indeed, a gardener’s best buddy is compost. My plants are now greener, indicating good health. I revived my garden by simply utilizing my kitchen scraps and other organic waste to build a compost pile.
As a result, incorporating a beautiful garden into the landscape of my new home has converted my backyard into an Eden.
Furthermore, the compost pile has provided me with chemical-free vegetables, ensuring that my family eats nutritious meals. Making a compost pile in your backyard is a cost-effective and ecologically friendly way to help your garden thrive.