How to Compost Organically

Learn which organic items to sort out and save for your compost pile. Compost heaps ideally operate on a healthy balance of nitrogen and carbon. Materials are grouped according to which element they provide for the hungry bacteria that decompose your pile. For nitrogen, focus on green items and waste from the kitchen -- think grass clippings, coffee grounds, tea leaves, banana peels and the like. Drier, brown materials will supply carbon -- dried grass clippings, hay and untreated paper products are examples. Stick to naturally occurring, chemical-free materials. Fertilizers made with inorganic compounds can be purchased at the store -- your fertilizer, however, made from plant and animal matter, is a substance built of natural compounds.

Collect items together in a compost heap or a specially designed compost bin. Bins have the advantage of holes to drain out excess moisture, slits to aerate and a swivel on which to rotate, mix and further aerate your heap. Heaps, however, when cared for properly, can also be highly effective. Structure your pile with alternating layers of carbon material and nitrogen material, capping it off with a carbon layer (drier, brown items). This will insulate your pile and keep flies and bad odors from collecting.

Keep your compost heap warm. The warmer it is, the faster materials will break down. Consider putting your heap in a sunny corner of the yard to ensure a steadily warm temperature.

Aerate your compost heap. When adding new material to the heap, either rotate your compost bin or mix your pile thoroughly. You can buy a tool through gardening or compost services specifically made for proper aeration. An ideal size for your compost heap is 3 x 3 x 3 feet, allowing it to hold both air and heat.

Moisten -- but don't drench -- your compost heap. Drainage holes on a compost bin will help you maintain the proper level of moisture, but either way, keep your heap reasonably damp without being sopping or parched.

Watch your compost heap break down into fresh, healthy fertilizer. Nourish your garden and enjoy the fruits of your labor.