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How To Compost by Greenlady
Building Compost
Start the compost pile with a 3-inch layer of coarse plant material, such as small twigs or chopped corn stalks. This will aid in aeration and drainage. On top of this, put a layer of plant and kitchen refuse--Leaves, straw,weeds,waste from garden plants,husks, coffee grounds, crushed egg shells, canning wastes, etc.. It is not a good idea to use meat or oil wastes of any kind, they will attract animals (and they stink!<from me>) Next add a layer of nitrogen rich material. This can be fresh manure if available, fresh grass clippings(not to thick a layer or they will mat)or fresh hay, comfrey is one of the best plants to use like this. If you do not have enough nitrogenous materials, there will not be enough nitrogen for the microorganisms to make proteins. Repeat the layers of plant and nitrogenous materials as many times as needed to use all the plant refuse available. If you are using a ready made composter follow the instructions it gives. The top of the pile should be low in the center so the water moves into the pile instead of running off. Water the pile as often as necessary to keep the contents moist but not soaking wet. Within a few days, the pile should heat up to about 160'F. This temperature will kill many weed seeds and harmful organisms, and is a necessary stage in composting. If the pile fails to get hot there is not enough nitrogen or perhaps not enough moisture in the pile and more should be added. The pile will decrease in size in a few weeks if it is composting properly.
The pile should be "forked over" or turned about once a month for rough cut materials to once a week for finely shredded ones. The plant materials will decompose in a month (finely shredded piles) to 5 months (coarse materials) in warm weather, but may take longer in cool dry conditions. When compost is finished it is black and crumbly, like good earthy soil, with a pleasant earthy smell. Only a few left over corncobs or stalks will remain undecayed. These can be sifted out and added to the next batch.
GreenLady