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Easy Compost Tips You Can Really Use

Back to 2008 Press Releases

Advice from the Practical Living Experts at Farmers' Almanac®

For Immediate Release – July 21st, 2008

Media Contact:
Cynthia Greenwood
GreenMark Public Relations
847-404-8404
cgreenwood@greenmarkpr.com

SAVANNAH, Ga. (July 21, 2008) – Little things often make the biggest difference, especially when it comes to protecting the environment. Composting is one small way to reduce waste in landfills and provide farmers and backyard gardeners with cheap fertilizer for years.

The gardening experts at Farmers' Almanac, the original sustainable living guide, say composting is practical and easy to do whether you live in a subdivision, rural community or urban environment. Good compost materials include manure, coffee grounds and filters, fruits and vegetables, human hair, shredded paper, dry leaves, straw, stale bread, dryer lint and dried grass clippings. Avoid meat scraps and dairy products which often attract animals such as rodents and cause unpleasant odors. Bones and dog or cat feces should not be put in a compost pile.

Compost can be made in open piles outdoors, but a homemade or store-bought bin is recommended to keep the pile neat and maintain the conditions needed for more rapid decomposition. Begin by placing a layer of soil at the bottom of the pile or bin. Add a layer of organic matter and another layer of soil. Mix together and continue to add organic matter and soil in layers, mixing after each addition.

Once you've mixed the compost "starter," add organic items to the pile or bin, making sure to keep bins tightly closed to keep animals out. To reduce trips back and forth from the kitchen to the bin, place compost items in a tightly sealed container on the counter and take outdoors to empty when full.

In about two months, depending on the pile's size, temperature, air and moisture levels, you'll have "black gold" or hummus, which can be added to the garden. The process will take a little longer if you don't stir the mixture or add the compost "starter."

For more great gardening information from the experts at Farmers' Almanac, including how-to videos that make going green practical for your lifestyle, visit www.FarmersAlmanac.com.

About the Farmers' Almanac:
The Farmers' Almanac, which features an orange and green cover, has been published every year since 1818. Available at grocery and bookstores nationwide, it contains useful and interesting articles, as well as long-range weather predictions, gardening advice, recipes and more. Editors Peter Geiger and Sandi Duncan are available for lively and informative interviews, either by phone or in person. Both love to talk about the weather, share useful Almanac trivia and advice, and offer tips on how to "get back to the simple life." Visit on the Web at www.FarmersAlmanac.com.