"If you are having a compost problem it is because you are not paying attention to what is causing the problem:"
The Invisible Gardener

Making Compost is like making cake. There are plenty of receipts and many different ways to make it. The more you make compost the better you will be at it. I started making compost in the 6th grade, the year I started doing my own natural pest control business. That was the year that I realized that in order to control the ant population I would have to bring back any sick trees and I would do that by bringing the soil back to life. How would I do that?  By using compost that is mineraly rich and bacterially active, you can bring the soil and everything else back to a balanced state of being. Making compost should be a pet friendly project and by only using natural products such as rock dust, organic compost starters, etc, you will not be using anything that could harm them. In the past my dog has eaten compost which gave her a mild case of the runs, but that is the extent that it should affect your pet.

Follow common sense....
Compost needs water to cook with, energy to make it heat up,  carbon matter to feed the bacteria, green matter for its nitrogen  and living bacteria to convert it into food for the plants. Combined together in the right way and you have a new product called compost! It is important is to follow common sense when applying compost. It make sense to rake in your compost and to keep the pets off the lawns, etc., until it has been watered in and dissolved; otherwise they will get it all over themselves and bring it into the house. Best to keep them controlled long enough to allow the compost to be absorbed into the soil. If your pet insists on eating it, it could be because you have not completely composted the ingredients that you have added.

Remember the basic law of what's goes in must come out!

"Compost is Mother Nature's best hope for our planet."
Andy Lopez  Invisible Gardener

Steps to Compost Production

The C Spot

Where to make your compost is important.

You will need to find a location that gets morning sun if possible. If it gets too much sun, it may dry out on you and you will need to water it more often.

Another factor in locating a spot for your compost making operation is what type of system you are using- whether it be bin or pile? This is determined by the amount of space you have available. The bigger the size of your property,
the more compost it will produce, the more bins or piles you will need. Also local city rules will determine what you can do.

Another factor is that your compost set up should have easy access to your kitchen, water, and enough space for for storage of materials you will need.

Drainage is important. It is important that the compost set up be in contact with soil as it will allow microorganisms to enter the compost process as well as allow for proper drainage.

It's too cold!

The time of year you make compost is important also. If you live    in a place that has a heavy winter you should make compost before winter comes, then allow it to sit during the winter time.

It's too wet!

Protect it from rain by covering it with a tarp.

To Air or not to Air?

There are two types of microorganisms that work the compost

Aerobic microorganisms require open air oxygen rich composting environment

Anaerobic microorganisms do not require oxygen.

Which type you have will depend on how you plan on making your compost.

Aerobic microorganisms require compost bins or piles that are turned over regularly to expose them to oxygen.

Anaerobic microorganisms require closed environments whether bin or pile, that do not need to be turned over regularly.

What ever you decide to do, the proper microorganisms will be there to do it for you! I suggest that you use the Aerobic microorganism since these work faster to get the job done then the Anaerobic type; but require more work (fun).

To bin or not to bin?

Whether you use bins or make piles depends on a few factors;

Local city rules

The amount of space you have available

The size of your property

Your time

Here is a good example of an open compost bin set up.
Sent in From Mary Ann of Westlake Ca



More Bins! This one protects from sun and rain!
Sent in from George of San Diego Ca

HYPERLINK "http://www.invisiblegardener.com/compost/building_compost_bins.htm"
To Pile or not to pile?

Whether you make compost piles or not really depends on the size of your property and the amount of compost you will need. Personally I feel this is the  best way to make compost (if you can do it) because it allows the compost to heat up enough to control any diseases. Smaller bins will not heat up
as much!

Are you watering enough? Compost needs a little bit of water in order to heat up. Use a water filter to remove chemicals since chlorine, etc.,  kill bacteria. (hint hint).

Don't over water it since too much water will drown it.

Add enough of each type of materials in order to get it to heat up

Green materials such as grass clippings, new leaves, vegetable wastes etc.

Brown materials such as dried leaves, dried plants (run through shredder) etc.

Use some type of animal manure such as rabbit, horse, cow,
llama, etc.

Use rock dust as a mineral source see "http://www.invisiblegardener.com/rockdust.htm" Rock Dust Dept

Add a bacterial product such as "http://www.invisiblegardener.com/online_store/online_store_superseaweed.html" SuperSeaweed, to increase right bacterial count...

Do not add any chemical fertilizer to your compost! That is a no no.

Do not use anything with sewer sludge in it! (bad, bad).

Use it or lose it!
When compost is ready, you must use it otherwise the insects and other creatures will use it for them selves!  If you are having rats and other creatures living in your compost then you are not paying attention!      

Never use chemical fertilizers to make your compost with.
You can instead increase the nutritional level of your compost by adding a good organic slow release fertilizer like those available from  HYPERLINK "http://www.groworganic.com/?plink=1107" Peaceful Valley Farm Supplies

Andy Lopez,
The Invisible Gardener

http://www.invisiblegardener.com