How to make a compost?

Clare
by Clare

Hi, there please help my 15-year-old son is trying to be eco-friendly. He decided to make compost in our garden. It started off good then things started to change quite quickly. Now our garden smells like something from a toilet ....yeuk .not good.I want to help him to succeed but need some good advice please. thanks, Claire


  4 answers
  • Em Em on Jun 10, 2019

    For compost you need part green, part brown and part vegetable parts. Decomposition of organic materials in your compost pile is greatly increased when you create the proper balance between the carbonaceous materials (called BROWN because they are dry) and the nitrogen-rich materials (called GREEN because they are more fresh and moist).

    In compost lingo, this balance is referred to as the Carbon-Nitrogen ratio, and shown as C:N.

    Now, it is true that most people simply don't give a hoot about this scientific hocus-pocus stuff. Waste is waste! And when you just want to throw the stuff away, you're not inclined to stop a moment to ask, "Gosh, is this Carbon or Nitrogen?"

    And much of the sleight of hand of composting, whether you are aware of it or not, has to do with the organic materials' content of Carbon and Nitrogen. Blow this stuff off and you might get a surprise when you open the lid to your bin: it may reek to holy hell, like rotten eggs or ammonia, or it may just be sitting there doing absolutely nothing! Which is to say your pile has become a cold couch potato, and it ain't going nowhere fast!

    So, back to this necessary balance between the Carbon content of your waste material and the Nitrogen content. For best performance, the compost pile, or more to the point the composting microorganisms, require the correct proportion of Carbon for energy and Nitrogen for protein production. Compost scientists have determined that the fastest way to produce fertile, sweet-smelling compost is to maintain a C:N ratio somewhere around 25 to 30 parts Carbon to 1 part Nitrogen, or 25-30:1. If the C:N ratio is too high (excess Carbon), decomposition slows down. If the C:N ratio is too low (excess nitrogen) you will end up with a stinky pile.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jun 10, 2019

    Composting in your backyard is more than just piling up the kitchen scraps in a heap. This video explains the basics in easy to understand language.


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-uxdrMt4k0

  • William William on Jun 11, 2019

    Here Ya Go! Everything is a learning curve.


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/grow/how-to-make-compost-7214517


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/grow/plants/compost-how-to-make-it-and-use-it-29835235


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/how-to-make-your-own-compost-like-a-diy-pro-2359305

    • Clare Clare on Jun 11, 2019

      William thanks for sending all the pics .My son wants to try again and this im sure will help him .have a g8 day .thanks again

  • Hi Clare - YAY my composting friend and son! Here's a great 101-style article on getting started with composting and everything you ever need to know. Also how we DIY'ed building our compost bin. My Stepson built it for a Boy Scout merit badge. Hope this all helps and happy composting! Hugs, Holly

    https://pinkfortitude.com/composting/

    https://pinkfortitude.com/compost-bin/