What Is Compost?

Compost is the name of the finished product after the decomposition of various organic materials is completed. The most common ingredients used to make compost are yard waste, such as leaves, grass clippings, garden wastes, animal manure, etc. Composting is a great way of turning lawn and garden wastes into something useful.

A "compost pile" is a boxed in area where these wastes are taken directly from the yard and garden and placed into a pile. The box has a specific design so it can have plenty of available oxygen (air) needed during decomposition and so the pile can be turned regularly. As the waste decomposes it heats up killing any bad bacteria and replacing it with good bacteria. The pile is turned regularly so all of the lawn and garden waste can go through this heating and cooling process. When it is finished the compost will be black in color and have an earthy smell. Compost is full of beneficial bacteria and many nutrients necessary for plant life.

Composting has become very popular with many books and articles describing the process needed to make good compost. Many articles can be readily found on the internet.