Those of you who have read my features over the past five years know that I often share my experiences, failures, and successes as it pertains to my gardening skills (or lack thereof). I’ve often written of my quest to find answers to questions, and I’m not afraid to try something new. Recently, I found myself ready to embark on yet another quest: learning the art of composting.

So what is compost, you might ask? Don’t worry; you’re not the only one who doesn’t know. I thought I had an idea of what it was, however, as it turns out, I really didn’t know either—that is, until I did my research.

Compost, quite simply, is decomposed organic material that is either plant or animal matter. There are two types of compost: 1) that which occurs naturally in the woods and forest, creating nutrient-rich soil, and 2) the man-made, backyard variety.

Backyard composting is what I’m talking about. This is the intentional and managed decomposition of organic materials for the production of a nutrient-rich soil used for gardening. What most people confuse for compost, however, is usually just an unorganized and smelly pile of rotting food and garbage. They key is to maximize the natural process of decomposition while avoiding the foul effects of the natural process of decaying substance, i.e., the stinky stuff.

Good compost creates and incredibly rich soil that supports healthy and productive plants. It provides all of the essential nutrients for healthy plants and helps release those nutrients gradually over time. Compost also assists in the soil’s structure and helps it hold and use the correct amount of water and air. It also improves the texture of the soil. Whether your soil is sandy or comprised of clay, compost can help it become more rich and productive. As an added benefit, compost also improves your plants’ vigor and helps make them more immune to disease.

Another benefit of composting is that it allows you to significantly reduce the amount of solid waste that would otherwise find its way to the local dump. Anything we can do to be stewards of the earth is a good thing. Just imagine how much waste we could keep out of the landfills if everyone practiced composting! Compost also helps cut down on the chemical fertilizers needed on our gardens and lawns, so you can even save money in the process.

There are thousands of books on the subject of composting. If you’re ready to give it a go, I suggest keeping it simple, like I did. The key is using the correct ingredients and choosing your compost bin. Find an out-of–the-way spot in your yard that’s close to your garden and not too far from your kitchen. (It’s important that you don’t create an eyesore.) Once you’ve found a good spot for your compost area, read “The Perfect Compost Bin” at www.composting101.com. This is the method I chose, and I think you’ll be pleased with both the look of the bin and the results you get from it.

Food, water, and air are the basic ingredients for successful composting. Your food will consist of “greens” and “browns.” The green material has a high content of nitrogen; the brown is high in carbon. Some green materials can include grass clippings, fresh manure; kitchen scraps, like fruits and vegetables; coffee grounds, weeds, and green leaves. Some examples of brown materials might be brown or dry leaves, dried grass, cornstalks (shredded), and straw.

Your compost needs a balanced diet. Too much or too little of any of the ingredients will reduce the productivity of the little microorganisms that do the real composting work. The problem usually comes with too much of the green ingredients. You really can’t have too much of the brown. Remember what we said earlier about having a big pile of smelly garbage? A good combination of the greens and browns will help keep offending odors to a minimum.

For example, if just had a big pile of grass clippings, it would hold too much water, compact, and become a mess because there wasn’t enough air. However, if you mix in some leaves with a pitchfork, it will give you some air pockets. The leaves will also add the bacteria and fungi that promote decomposition.

The best ratio for your compost is about four parts brown to one part green. (Remember, too much green gives you a smelly garbage pile!) The perfect time to start your compost is when the leaves are falling from the trees. If you have too many leaves, you can shred them and store them in plastic bags under a porch or deck until needed.

Successful composting takes some effort and knowledge. If you are still interested in making your own compost, visit the two websites listed below, which served as the basis of my research. You’ll be glad you did.