Composting Basics: Building and Maintaining a Pile

You can continuously add to a compost pile. Basic layering method:

1. Base: 3″ coarse material (corn stalks, brush) for airflow.
2. Brown layer: 2–4″ dry leaves, straw, shredded paper. Water well.
3. Green layer: 2–4″ grass clippings, kitchen scraps (no meat/diseased plants/pet waste). Water to moist.
4. Soil layer: 2″ garden soil (inoculates microbes).
5. Repeat brown/green/soil to 3–4 ft height.
6. Cover: 3–4″ soil with ridge, poke air holes, top with 2″ alfalfa hay.

Turn every 3–4 months to speed up, or let sit a year. Finished compost is dark, crumbly, earthy‑smelling. Sift through ½″ wire mesh.

Full details: avant-gardening.com/composting.

— The Long Island Gardener