Anyone who is into gardening and green home practices knows that compost is a good thing. Composts provide essential nutrients that help in plant growth. They improve soil condition and structure, increase the soil’s capacity to retain water, and improve soil aeration.

There are times, however, when even experienced gardeners fail at composting. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t just throw your scraps in a bin and wait for it to rot and become fertilizer. Composting requires a bit of science.

To help you till the soil properly, here are a few things you might be doing wrong with your compost pit and how you can avoid it.

Moisture

Compost need to be moist enough to keep the waste-eating bacteria alive. It doesn’t have to be well-watered like your garden, though. Your target moisture level should be similar to a rung-out sponge; not too dry, but not too soggy.

Too much water can make the compost pile stagnant while too little won’t enable the decomposition process at all.

Oxygen

The worms and bacteria in your compost pile need proper air circulation to break down the organic waste materials. You can easily aerate yours by turning it over with a rake or pitchfork, or by using one of our durable compost mixers.

Bacteria

Bacteria are what start the decomposition process. Without them, your organic waste materials won’t break down; they will just rot.

Make sure your pile is directly in contact with the soil so the worms and microorganisms have easy access to the waste materials. A good way to tell if your pile is working is if it’s warmer than the rest of the ground. When the live microorganisms go to work and eat through the waste, they produce energy in the form of heat.

Pit Dimension

Compost piles need a space measuring at least 3 feet by 3 feet in diameter to build momentum and work. Whether you’re using a hole in the ground, a bag, or a bin, it needs adequate space to sustain the biological activities responsible for decomposition.

The right materials and products improve your chances of being successful at composting. Get in touch with us now and we’ll be happy to help you with any composting needs. From bacteria, worms, bags to bins, we have you covered.