There is a simple secret to inexpensive, easy gardening that makes the whole thing almost foolproof, compost. Compost is organic, vegetable matter that has been left to, well, rot. Okay, it's not quite that simple but, almost. Working compost into your soil does wonders. It contains a very wide range of nutrients and adds a kind of matter that improves soil drainage. The minerals found in compost will help balance your soils ph. All those benefits for almost no cost because, you can make it yourself.
Of course, you can buy compost in bags or in bulk and it really is not terribly expensive but, why not make it yourself?. If you have a yard, there are several ways. You can build a wooden frame, a box shape using outdoor grade plywood nailed to a 2X4 frame, then add a hinged lid. Actually, you can skip the lid, but your neighbors might not find your compost pile attractive, so add the lid. (actually, I just had a thought -why not get together with those neighbors and create a community compost heap). You can, if so inclined, buy a composter, generally a barrel mounted so it can be rotated, like a chicken on a spit, with a lid of some sort. If you are a talented builder, you can even make one quite easily. You can also take the easier ways of getting some huge trash cans or a bunch of large, heavy duty black plastic bags.
You see, all you are going to do is pile up all your vegetative wastes, lawn clippings, raked leaves, hedge trimmings, vegetable and fruit peels from the kitchen, wood chips from tree trimmings, even shredded newspapers (remember, they were once plants). All materials work best when chopped as finely as possible. For example, a large branch of a tree would take a very long time to compost, so cut it up, or, if you have access, run it through a chipper but, you don't have to reduce it to sawdust - use common sense. Do not, ever, ever, ever add animal products such as meat scraps or pet feces. They often carry unwanted parasites, they will draw ever stray cat or possum or raccoon - whatever you have in your neighborhood, and they will stink. Manure and such is processed differently and if you want to add that to your soil, buy it from a garden center.
Start your pile and keep growing it. Every week or so, dampen it and, using a shovel, or better still, a large garden fork, turn it. Wear a dust mask and goggles because, until it is ready, it may harbor molds or fungus. When turned, cover it again, or leave it open if you want but, smell aside, it will compost faster when covered. Yes, I said smell. It will smell some, for awhile. Obviously you don't want your pile next to your house - put it near the edge of your property. The smell will ease up over time and when finished, there will be very little odor.
When is it done? When it is nearly odor free, is a rich brownish black color, and crumbly when handled. Then, just work it into your garden soil. You can do this with a hoe and it is great exercise, but if that is too much for you or if you have a huge garden, rent a roto-tiller. You will be amazed at how improved your soil is and, you will find that you need much less water and fertilizer. During the growing season, if you have more compost ready, just scatter around your plants. The more compost you add and the longer you keep adding it, the better your soil will be.
If you do not have a yard with enough room. or if you are in an apartment, consider buying compost; the expense will be minimal. You can, if you have a patio, make some, by saving vegetable and fruit peels and plant trimmings in large coffee cans. Just keep them damp and turn them a little. You may get enough for your plants. Just keep the lid on.
Two quick notes. One: when you uncover your pile and get ready to turn it, don't be alarmed if it is very hot and even puts off some smoke. That is just the process proceeding as it should. Two: I almost forgot, if you are a coffee drinker, compost your coffee grounds, they will help with the ph adjustment and they have several fine nutrients.
One last thing: how big should the pile be? Well, the more compost you have, the better but, don't make your pile so big that you work yourself to death turning it. Make several small piles. Also, by making smaller piles, the process goes faster. Now, happy composting.
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