Building a Compost

Compost materials are worth the effort for everyone.

Compost is a mixture of soil and partly decayed organic matter. A compost pile is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to increase garden production.

Many home gardeners in Georgia have trouble getting the best yields from their gardens because the soil doesn't have enough organic matter. The best way to improve garden soil is by using compost.

A home compost pile is also a handy place to dispose of garden waste, vegetable tops and peelings, grass clippings and any other plant matter that will rot quickly. Leaves will decay more slowly than grass clippings.

Composted materials add a lot to the soil. They improve soil workability, provide nitrogen and other nutrients through decomposition, and also increase the water- and nutrient-holding capacities of the soil.

Getting it all together…

It's best to start your compost pile in an area where it can be screened from view. Attractive enclosures can be made from old railroad ties, concrete blocks or other similar materials.

If you build the compost pile near trees or other woody plants with active surface feeding roots, place a sheet of plastic on the ground first. This will keep roots from coming up into the compost pile. Lay the plastic flat so it won't form a basin which will hold water.

When building the pile, place the organic material in layer cake fashion. On each six-inch layer, sprinkle one cup of fertilizer on a bucket of manure on a 3 feet by 5 feet area. Include a few shovelfuls of garden soil to keep the material in place and to add microorganisms which will help decompose the material. Add a little water if the pile is too dry. Add more layers in this manner until the pile is three feet high.

To hasten composting…

Shred the materials and keep the pile moist. You may want to indent the top of the pile so it will catch water. In dry spells, add water to help break down the material. Turn the pile monthly in warm weather. Your compost pile should be ready to use in three to six months.

Don't add diseased plants to the pile. This will spread the disease to other plants. Don't use weeds that have gone to seed.

Once the compost is ready…

Use compost as a surface mulch. Apply the finished material in layers two to four inches deep. It will help control weeds and conserve moisture and prevent soil crusting.

To condition soil…

Mix compost into the soil before planting. Used this way, compost benefits all plants. Mixing compost into the soil improves soil structure, aeration and drainage. It's inexpensive to make and provides a natural, long-lasting source of plant nutrients.

For more information on building compost contact your local County Extension Office.