When we hear the words composting pile what do we all think about? Is it rural areas, where there are farms with large compost heaps in the corner of them? Do we think of the garden of that local oddball environmentalist who always has some waste stinking away claming its helping the environment? Probably, but that does not make it any less true. Composting is a great way to use your food and other waste, for a renewable resource.



Taking a large container - usually, this is a large box, a huge bin, or a garden barrel specifically designed for the purpose of compositing. The, you will be able to safely throw away your waste and will be able to utilise it to the best of your ability, effectively recycling in your own back yard.

But how do composting piles work.

Well, compositing piles are piles which use the waste we have from things like rotting food, particularly fruit such as apples and bananas. They will also break down garden waste. If you have recently raked up all the leaves in your garden for example then these can be put into your composting pile to decompose and be used again later on your garden.

When you are creating a composting pile however, there are other things which need to be included. This things range from saw dust and straw, all the way to manure. Though it may sound odd, these are all important things. They help to make the good soil which you wish to use. Finding manure is not hard, if you cannot find it in a field, then go to a local gardening centre and buy some bags of manure to put into your composting pile.

This waste is then broken down by micro organisms. But, as with any other living thing, a micro organism requires certain things to continue living and working for us. These are easy to provide if you know what they are. The first of these is heat. Make sure that your compost pile is not cold, or it will not decompose as the micro organisms will die in the cold.

The micro organisms in your compositing pile will also require water. Check that it is always moist, and if it is not, then you should water your pile yourself as you may not be getting enough rain water. Your compositing pile will also require air to decompose. Make sure there are air holes within your container so that the micro organisms can continue their work.

Finally, remember that although you are able to throw all your food wastes directly into the composting pile, it will be more difficult for the whole pieces to decompose. Cut up pieces of apple and other such things to allow the process to speed up.

With all of these conditions complete, you will have a compositing pile which is going to be helpful for you in the future. The whole process can take anywhere from two weeks to two years. If all the above conditions are correct, and it is a very hot place, the decomposition rate will be increased, and you can be planting in no time.