So you've pruned your plants and mowed your lawn: what will you do with the leftover cuttings and clippings?
Winter Gardener host John Cretti has a great idea: make compost. Cretti demonstrates how to set up compost bins and explains what ingredients produce the best compost. Finished compost may be used as an amendment for garden soil, as a mulch around the base of plants or as a rich planting medium.
One of the best composting systems utilizes three separate bins that contain organic matter at different stages of decomposition. The idea is to move the cooking compost from bin to bin until it is "finished" and ready for use in the garden.
The first bin houses fresh materials, not yet decomposed. (If using a chipper-shredder, take materials directly from the machine and place in the first bin, just as you would any other fresh compost material.) The second bin contains material that is starting to break down and could be used for winter protection. In the third bin, everything is decomposed and contains rich organic material.
If you live in a small area that won't house three bins, follow these steps to create your own single compost bin:
- Find a permanent place in the garden for the compost bin.
- Stand three or four palettes on their ends and tie them together with 16-gauge wire.
- Gradually fill the compost box with organic materials such as prunings from the yard, grass clippings, dead leaves and kitchen waste.
- Charge the compost pile by spreading one inch of garden soil on top of the organic material.
- Water the pile each time you add another layer.
- In two weeks, stir the pile with a pitchfork or a compost turner from a garden center. Insert the compost tool or pitchfork into the pile, turn and lift.
- Continue to add materials all season long and at any time of the year.
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