How to Compost

SUSTAINABLE URBAN AGRICULTURE CERTIFICATION PROGAM ENHANCING CAPACITY OF LOUISIANA'S SMALL FARMS AND BUSINESSES HOWHOW TOTO COMPOSTCOMPOST MATERIALS NEEDED Fresh (green) waste (grass clippings, carrot ends, banana peels), and dry (brown) waste (dry leaves, small twigs). Optional: mesh bin, pitch fork, shovel.

COMPOSTING PROVIDES Free Extra soil for the garden! Free Plant fertilizer (plant food) to help the plants grow big and healthy!

HOW TO START YOUR COMPOST PILE AT YOUR GARDEN

1.Choose a spot to keep your compost pile. It can be an open pile, or enclosed by some sort of mesh bin (the compost pile MUST be able to breathe). Some make a bin out of old wooden pallets, if you use something like an old garbage can make sure it is full of holes allowing the compost pile to breathe. Pre-fabricated compost bins can be purchased as well. There are so many options! Choose what is best for your space and garden. 2.Fill the compost pile with FRESH GREEN WASTE: vegetable clippings from the kitchen, any vegetables or fruit waste, grass clippings (avoid putting meat or bones in the compost pile). 3.Always cover FRESH GREEN WASTE with DRY BROWN WASTE. This will help keep all pests away from the compost pile and it will ensure that the compost pile doesn’t smell bad. DRY BROWN WASTE: dry leaves, dry straw, dry grass clippings. 4.Compost pile should be arranged like so: DRY BROWN WASTE, FRESH GREEN WASTE, DRY BROWN WASTE and FRESH GREEN WASTE 5.Material can be added to the compost pile on a daily basis if possible. 6.To speed up the process the compost pile can be turned by a shovel or pitch fork. 7.If the pile remains stationary it will take longer, but finished compost will be available at the bottom of the pile first. Finished compost is a beautiful rich black color and should not have a bad odor to it. 8.Once the compost is finished it can be added to the garden near planted plants or mix it into the soil before planting. This will help the plants be healthy and produce a lot of fruits and vegetables!

Author: Milagro Berhane, Senior Research Associate, Stephanie Elwood, Extension Associate and Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certification Program Trainers Contributors: Tamika Porter - Content Editor, Joshua McDonald, MPA - Visual Content

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