Early autumn is the perfect time to empty your garden-waste compost because it makes room for yard-cleanup debris. Check out these instructions on how to set up a new compost.
Early fall is the perfect time to empty your garden-waste compost, since you’ll free up space for debris from tidying your yard. You can empty the compost any time once its contents look soil-like. Spread the finished compost as mulch around trees, shrubs, a vegetable garden, or flower beds, where it will protect the soil and perennials' root zones during autumn rains. Compost soil is a fantastic soil amendment that encourages strong microbial activity.
How to assemble a new compost
In a wooden compost bin, plant material often decomposes unevenly. It breaks down fastest at the center of the pile, where the temperature is higher and moisture is more plentiful than at the edges. Separate any undecomposed parts from the finished compost and leave them at the bottom to keep breaking down.
Layer garden waste in the compost. Begin with branches, dry perennial stems, vine shoots, and other coarse materials to help with airflow.
Spread about a 10 cm (4 in) layer of leaves over the branches. A thicker layer runs the risk of drying out and breaking down more slowly.
Sprinkle a few shovelfuls of soil or fully decomposed compost over the leaves. The soil adds beneficial microbes that speed up the breakdown.
Cut or chop any materials you add to the compost bin, whether they’re branches, summer flowers, or heather root balls. This makes it easier for microorganisms to do their work, speeding up the composting process.
Keep layering various materials. If you have plenty of leaves, you can accelerate decomposition by adding chicken manure pellets between layers. Finish by watering the pile with a watering can and covering it with a layer of leaves. In winter, you can protect the compost with a tarp to keep rain from washing away nutrients.
