Once you have your container ready to go with GBOAWS, the next step is caring for your compost pile.  First you need to be sure you’re turning the pile regularly, about once every week.  The best thing to turn the compost pile is a pitchfork, so now is a fun excuse to get one of those old farm implements that you’ve always wanted but never had a reason to get.

Now, the pile is not going to smell like roses, we are sorry to say, but by turning the compost matter regularly, you are adding air to flow through the container, which will encourage aerobic decomposition.  Be sure to break up any clumpy material, as this will help decomposition to take place more quickly.

Decomposing your new compost pile is going to take some time, so be patient with your new pet project.  It will help the process if you shred heavy materials such as scrap clothing and cardboard.  
 
We haven’t yet discussed what to avoid putting in your compost pile, mostly for reasons of health or inability to break down.  Here is a quick list of things to avoid feeding the backyard monster.

• Meat & meat scraps
• Bones
• Fish & bones
• Plastic or other synthetic fibers
• Pet or any other kind of feces
• Weeds that have already gone to seed
• Diseased plants
• Disposable diapers
• Paper or magazines
• Coal ash
• And don’t even dare put cat litter in there!

Once your compost pile is ready to be harvested, you will know when there is a good layer of compost at the bottom of the bin, remove the best part and spread it or dig it into your flower or vegetable beds. 

And viola!  You’re a composting pro!

Keep it green!

First, we need to discuss compost bins.  We like to use commercial bins since only using the ground as your compost heap will attract all kinds of unwanted critters to your house to get those carrot peels, and we don’t want that.

When choosing a compost bin, remember that it’s best to keep your pile at around 1 cubic yard or more, this will help you in deciding which bin works best for your specific needs.

Once you decide on the perfect bin, you next need to fill it with the balanced mixture of GBOAWS, or green stuff, brown stuff, other stuff, air, water and soil.

Green stuff includes grass cutting, coffee grounds, tea leaves, plants and veggie plant remains.

Brown stuff is defined as dead plants, weeds, fall leaves, sawdust, cardboard, small animal bedding and old straw and hay.

Your other stuff is stuff like paper towels, torn-up cotton clothing, egg shells, hair leftover from your home haircuts and paper bags.  You see why it’s called other stuff now, don’t you?  Basically all the stuff you never gave a second thought.

Provide your container with air by turning the mixture regularly.

Your compost pile should be as damp as a sponge that has just been wrung out, in order to keep your pile moist you can add a lid to your bin if one did not come with your container.  If the pile seems a bit dry, just add water.

While not always necessary, a light sprinkling of soil can get your composting headed in the right direction.

Now that we’ve covered picking out your compost bin and what to place in it, tomorrow we will discuss what to do next.

Until then, keep it green!