​SUPPLIES

-12.5 ft. of 2”x4”x 3ft high welded wire fencing; clippers; rebar or old broom handle
- 50 pounds of pellet-type rabbit food (optional)- source of nitrogen for your pile
- Approximately 15 large bags of dry leaves

LOCATION
- Away from trees and bushes or their roots will come up into the compost pile
- At least 30 ft. away from natural water sources like streams, creeks, lakes or wells (in case of nitrogen runoff)
- Convenient to a garden hose
- Close enough to the house so you will use it often

INSTRUCTIONS

Turn your pile one week after you assemble it and then every 3-4 weeks, at least. The more often you turn it, the faster materials will break down.

Your pile should not smell, but you may notice an odor when you turn it, especially the first time. This is normal.

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ACCEPTABLE/NOT ACCEPTABLE ITEMS in a COMPOST PILE

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Acceptable

Leaves
Fruits/Vegetable peels, stems
Egg Shells
Coffee Grounds/Filters
Tea leaves and bags
Hard-shelled nuts (crushed)
Wood ash
Peanut Shells
Canning/preserving wastes
Stale Bread
Egg Shells
Used paper towels/napkins
Manure from horses, cows, or chickens

 

Not Acceptable

Animal by-products such as meat, fat or bones
Dog droppings
Cat litter and droppings
Charcoal ashes
Chemically-treated plant material, including grass
Invasive weeds or plants
Diseased or infested plants
Glossy/slick paper
Poisonous or thorny plants

Meat

Bones

Oils

Dairy

Pine Needles

Magnolia leaves

 

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Where to use your compost

 

New garden beds and plantings
Dig in 2-3″ of compost in top 6″
 

Vegetable gardens/transplants
2″-3″ on beds and into each hole
 

Existing garden beds
1″ layer around plants
 

Natural Areas
1/2″ under mulch
 

Side Dressings for trees/shrubs

Scratch 1/2″ of compost starting 1″ out from trunk plant out to drip line

 

Lawns - After aeration, spread 1/2″ of compost and rake in

Houseplants
2/3 potting soil, 1/3 compost when transplanting or put 1″ top dressing on existing potted plants

 

Compost Tea

Put about 4-6″ of ripe compost in a 5-gallon bucket and add water. Let the compost steep overnight if possible. The next day, strain off the compost and use the compost tea on your plants. Not just around the base, but if you can, pour it over the whole plant, leaves and all. The tea won’t burn your plants and it will give them a liquid dose of nutritious compost.