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Composting 101 To borrow a phrase. . . "compost happens." From "Dirt On Gardening" episode DDOG-102

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For a successful compost pile you'll need carbon-rich materials called "browns"--leaves, straw, etc.-- combined with nitrogen rich materials called "greens"--grass clippings, egg shells, kitchen scraps coffee grounds.

Composting: The Easy Two-Week Method

• Keep ingredients small, no more than two inches in size.

• Don't layer materials. Mix ingredients either before or after shredding and chopping.

• Pile in heaps of no more than 5 feet.

• Turn the pile from the inside out on a daily basis for usable compost in two weeks. (Turn every other day for compost in three weeks.)

• When the pile has become somewhat smaller and the color of the material is dark brown, your compost is ready to use.
  

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  The ideal ratio for compost is 25 parts "browns" to 1 part "greens."

• Keep the pile moist, but not soggy. If it's too wet, it will smell. If it is too dry, decomposition will be very slow.

• An ammonia odor may indicate that there's an imbalanced mix of ingredients. Add sawdust to control odor.

• Grass clippings break down quickly and contain as much nitrogen as manure.

• Avoid meat and fish scraps. These will attract rodents and cause a smelly compost pile.

• Avoid using any parts of the black walnut tree as they contain a plant poison that survives composting. Eucalyptus leaves can also be toxic to other plants.

	Simply insert the probe into the soil and, after a few seconds, read the acidity. A pH in the range of 4 to 5 is good for most backyard plantings.
	Media Watch the Video

"Your Home Turf"
A Regional Gardening Tip for the Northeast

In the northeastern US, the soil tends to be acidic--which is ideal for plants like rhododendron, azalea, mountain laurel and blueberry. But there can be a lot of variation even within the region. Back-fill dirt from new home construction, for example, likely won't be as acidic as typical topsoil. Horticulturist and author Lee Reich suggests using a soil pH probe or home testing kit to test your soil's pH to make sure that your soil and plants are compatible.

Go to next article in DIY's "Green Gardener" series.

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