In the natural garden, organic waste is transformed into finely crumbly, fragrant compost. All you need is a little patience and a free garden niche to produce the natural fertilizer and soil conditioner on your own. Read this guide to learn how to make your own compost.
A compost heap can easily be created in a sufficiently large garden
Location for the compost yard
Producing premium quality compost begins with the choice of location. The following framework conditions guarantee a smooth rotting process:
- Half shade to shade, sheltered from the wind
- Distance to the neighboring property of at least 50 centimeters
- Unpaved, well-drained subsoil
A water connection in the immediate vicinity is recommended in order to water dry compost without the hassle of carrying a watering can.
Step by step to the finished compost soil
Even a simple wooden frame or wire rack is enough to produce compost soil yourself. The right mix of organic waste is the key to success. Fill the compost heap according to the rule of thumb: mix wet with dry and fine with coarse. The following table gives examples of what makes good compost soil and what does not:
| Compostable waste | Unsuitable substances |
|---|---|
| uncooked kitchen scraps | meat, leftovers |
| tea bags, coffee grounds, eggshells | vacuum cleaner bags |
| Garden waste (woody, fibrous, herbaceous residue) | glass, metal, plastic |
| stable and cage manure | textiles |
| Grass clippings (ideally dried) | street sweepings |
| Wood ash (maximum 3%) | weeds of all kinds |
If you mainly compost kitchen waste, add a thin layer of garden soil as an intermediate layer. To prevent microorganisms and soil organisms from choking, you should chop coarse ingredients. Please do not throw whole fruits or rhizomes on the compost heap, but cut or chop the ingredients beforehand. To protect against drought, spread out a compost mat or spray the organic material with water.
Implement twice a year
In order for organic waste to quickly turn into valuable compost soil, you should provide fresh air twice a year. To do this, turn over the compost heap. The best time for the first aeration is in the spring after thawing.
tips
In a small garden, the raised bed also serves as a composter. The gardening trick succeeds by filling it in layers, comparable to the compost heap. A floor of vole wire is covered with coarse branches, followed by chopped prunings and semi-mature compost. The natural rotting process takes place under a thick layer of mature, sieved compost, while ornamental and useful plants thrive on the surface.