How to Make a Small Compost for Next Year
- 1). Obtain a bucket or composting barrel to use to collect all of your composting materials. Use a container with holes for water drainage; ensure that you can turn it easily. Because the compost may attract wildlife, it must have a secure lid or opening so that animals cannot get inside.
- 2). Collect your composting materials, such as chopped brush, leaves, yard clippings, soil, manure and food waste. When collecting food waste, stay away from meats and animal by-products -- these do not break down in the compost and can leave unwanted bacteria.
- 3). Layer the compost in the container. Start with the chopped brush and any coarse plant material. Add the leaves, grass and yard clippings as the second layer. Add 1 inch or more of soil. Coat the mixture with manure or a nitrogen-rich substance to encourage microorganisms. Add water if the mixture is dry.
- 4). Repeat Step 3 until the bin is full or nearly full. After a few days, the temperature in the compost should rise, and the pile should settle, indicating a properly made pile of compost. The composted material will break down, and you will end up with much less material than you started with.
- 5). After a few weeks, turn the pile. Use the already composted soil to create more compost. Turning the compost more than once is optimal for the final product. To use compost by fall, you must start in the spring. If you begin in the fall, use your compost in the spring.
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