In the natural garden, organic waste is transformed into fine-crumb, fragrant compost soil. All you need is a little patience and a free garden niche to produce the natural fertilizer and soil improver on your own. Read this guide on how to make compost soil yourself.
How can I make compost soil myself?
To make compost soil yourself, you need a shady, wind-protected location and mix organic waste such as uncooked kitchen waste, garden waste and lawn clippings. Chop up coarse ingredients and water the compost. Ventilate twice a year for optimal results.
Location for the compost site
Producing premium quality compost soil starts with the choice of location. The following general conditions guarantee a smooth rotting process:
- Partly shaded to shady, wind-protected location
- Distance to the neighboring property of at least 50 centimeters
- Unpaved, well-drained ground
A water connection in the immediate vicinity is recommended in order to water dry compost without the hassle of lugging around a watering can.
Step by step to the finished compost soil
Even a simple wooden frame (€59.00 on Amazon) or wire frame is enough to produce compost soil yourself. The right mix of organic waste is the key to success. Fill the compost heap according to the rule of thumb: mix wet with dry and fine with coarse. The following table gives examples of what makes good compost soil and what doesn't:
| Compostable waste | Unsuitable materials |
|---|---|
| uncooked kitchen waste | Meat, leftovers |
| Tea bags, coffee grounds, eggshells | Vacuum cleaner bags |
| Garden waste (woody, fibrous, herbaceous residues) | Glass, metal, plastic |
| Stable and cage manure | Textiles |
| Lawn clippings (ideally dried) | Street sweepings |
| Wood ash (maximum 3%) | Weeds of all kinds |
If you mainly compost kitchen waste, add a thin layer of garden soil as an intermediate layer. To prevent microorganisms and soil organisms from choking, you should chop up coarse ingredients. Please do not throw whole fruits or rhizomes into the compost heap, but cut or chop the ingredients first. To protect against dryness, spread out a compost fleece or spray the organic material with water.
Implement twice a year
To ensure that organic waste quickly turns into valuable compost, you should provide fresh air twice a year. For this purpose, turn over the compost heap. The best time for the first ventilation is in the spring after the thaw.
Tip
In the small garden, the raised bed also serves as a composter. The gardening trick works by filling it in layers, comparable to the compost heap. A base made of vole wire is covered with coarse branches, followed by chopped wood cuttings and semi-ripe compost. The natural rotting process takes place under a thick layer of ripe, sifted compost soil, while ornamental and useful plants thrive on the surface.
Information about Terra Preta, the Black Earth, has been compiled for you in this article.
