How to make your own Compost

Compost is what organic gardeners use to feed their plants.  It is made up of kitchen scraps, dead leaves, and other plant matter that slowly decays, creating a rich soil-like substance full of nutrients.

You can buy compost in any gardening centre, but why not make it yourself?

This is really a very easy process, and as with most things, you can make it simple or complicated depending upon the time, energy and money you wish to spend.

Here are some general websites on composting :
http://www.howtocompost.org/
http://www.composting101.com/

Whether you want a small compost container,
a medium sized one
or a larger one ...

  ..... the easiest and simplest way to make your own compost is to use one of the many home composting bins available to the home gardener.

Here are some links that you can check for some examples :

http://www.cleanairgardening.com/accessories.html

http://www.wagle.com/composters/compost-bins

You can also buy ready made larger compost kits for building larger compost containers in your garden.  This one is available from Target





Here is a link where you have several to choose from :

http://www.compostore.com/?gclid=CMuer9joza4CFQ2R7Qod23Gfjw


And finally you can build a simple compost pile from scratch.

Compost piles don't always have to be contained.  In my garden it's just piled up in a wild area at the bottom of our property.

You can also build a contained compost area very easily out of whatever materials you happen to have around.  This one is just made out of wire fencing.

Here are some easy instructions for building a wooden compost bin, as well as what to put into it.
http://eartheasy.com/grow_compost_bin_build.htm

Here you will find some very specific instructions for building 4 different compost bins :
http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G6957

• a turning bin
• a wire bin
• a snow fence bin
• a three section wooden bin

And finally, if you're feeling ambitious, here are some instructions for building a wood and wire three bin turning compost bin.
http://www.metrovancouver.org/about/publications/Publications/CompostBinConstructionPlan-ThreeBin.pdf

Here are a few videos for good measure

Once you have your bin what do you put into it?  Here are some instructions for that as well :
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/building.html

And a video to explain the whole process :

Whatever method you use, making your own compost is a great ecological move.  You get to recycle all your scraps and garden leaves etc.  as well as create the best possible fertilizer for your garden.

Here is today's inspirational square foot garden from silverserviceconsultancy.co.uk

"Almost any garden, if you see it at just the right moment, can be confused with paradise."
                                                                                                                            - Henry Mitchell