Composting Correctly

TO COMPOST OR NOT TO COMPOST?
Composting:  A process where organic material is decomposed into humus.
Humus improves the water retention of roots, and the drainage, workability and fertility of the soil.
Decomposition is done by microorganisms, earthworms and pillbugs(the garbage eaters).The organic matter
                                    is their food source.
This decomposition
                                    process requires: Nitrogen – Water – Oxygen - Heat
Good Compost
                                    looks like very dark chocolate and has no foul odor.
Good compost is made up of:
25% High Nitrogen: (aged manure, green grass clippings)
45% Green 
                                    materials: (kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, egg shells, fresh vegetable scraps - NOT COOKED (NOTE: If
                                    your compost isn’t hot within 24 hours, you need more green)
30% Brown materials: Wood chips, brown grass clippings, shredded newspaper,Hay
                                    and straw NO MEAT, DAIRY OR COOKED FOODS. Also avoid onion and garlic waste.  
Compost needs to be
1. Aerated for
                                    oxygen (turned every 2-4 weeks)
2. Kept slightly
                                    moist (like a damp sponge) with NON-chlorinated water.
3. Needs to be baked by the sun at least 6 hours/day.
4. Needs to be 3-5 Ft high and
                                    wide (small piles don’t get hot enough and bigger piles can’t get enough air. 
5. Layered with soil every 8-14”
WHEN YOU SEE WORMS AND PILL BUGS, YOUR COMPOST IS
                                    READY TO BE USED. (About 6-12 months)
Possible issues with compost:
Rats: This means the compost is too dry and not turned often enough. Also, you should bury the delicious
                                    veggie and fruit scraps under soil, so it’s difficult for the rats to get to.
Foul odor: Not enough oxygen
Maggots: These may actually be the larvae of "compost-dwelling soldier flies." They won't hurt you. In fact,
                                    these larvae play a role in breaking down and recycling nutrients back into the soil.
IF YOU FEEL LIKE THIS IS TOO MUCH TROUBLE or you don't
                                    have enough room in your yard, DON'T FEEL GUILTY! Composting is not as easy as it sounds for busy people. 
Instead, why don't you make a quick phone call to your local
                                    waste company and ask if they would start a composting pick-up service. (They're doing it in San Francisco) 
Then feel free to purchase bags of compost
                                    from your local nursery or farmer's market.