What do you think about Compost ?

It is not necessary, nor is it recommended. Too much lime may cause a loss of nitrogen from the pile. Most finished compost will have a near neutral pH without the addition of lime.

Inoculation with prepared microbes may hasten the process. However, there are enough microbes present on the material being composted to initiate the process.

The finer the material is that goes into the compost pile the quicker and more thorough the decomposition.

Earwigs are rarely a serious threat to crops and they can be an aid to the composting process as scavengers. They prefer cooler piles.

Store high carbon materials (sawdust, leaves, shredded newspaper) and use them when needed.

Yes, if shredded and mixed well with other materials. Newspaper is also a good mulching material and be placed beneath wood chips for a path. The inks used today are generally non-toxic.

When is has become dark, loose and crumbly; and if in a hot pile, when it doesn’t re-heat upon turning. Sifting out unfinished materials is helpful if the aesthetics are a problem.

Store them in sealable plastic containers and layer with sawdust to minimize odor problems. They can be used by burying them under at least eight inches of soil or turned in a hot compost.

Yes, but care must be taken so the compost produced does not replant the weeds where they are not wanted.

A sunny spot is best because the heat of the sun speeds decomposition. However, the pile also dries out faster and requires more frequent watering than a pile in the shade.

If you are making hot compost, turn the pile when the internal temperature decreases below 100°F.

They are not a problem for the composting process – they actually contribute to the process by feeding on decaying and fresh wastes. Their proximity to the garden can, of course, be a problem.

A holding unit or bin is the easiest way to compost.

As a general rule, it would be best to not compost diseased plant materials because of the chance of re-infecting your garden.

When the pile returns to normal temperature and the organic material crumbles easily. At this point you should not be able to recognize the material that you put in the original pile.

The composting process in the average pile takes about 6 to 8 months, though an ideally mixed and tended pile may take less than as 8 weeks to become compost.

Compost can be used to enrich the garden, to improve the soil around trees and shrubs, as a soil amendment for houseplants and when screened, as a part of seed-starting mix or lawn top dressing.