Raven has utilized compost to assist her in breaking up her hardened red Alabama clay dirt. Without compost she would have NEVER had her garden.
She also wishes to remind her readers that first and most importantly to always start your compost heap in the Fall of the year. It is always cooler then, and leaves are easy to collect, and in most cases grass clippings can still be had. And two, NEVER "dump and run" when adding food scaps. ALWAYS bury food scaps 6"- 12" below the surface, OR cover with leaves, straw, or composting materals. This prevents scavengers, lke racoons from finding the scaps, and prevents odors. Also covering the scraps encourages composting to begin.
Also keep your compost MOIST, not wringing wet. Cover the pile during torrents of rain, and water it during dry periods. And remember, keeping the pile turned speeds the composting process, however if left alone composting HAPPENS, if the pile is correctly made. It just takes 1 -2 years longer that way. And thirdly, to always remember to LAYER the "Greens" and the "Browns", evenly thoughout the pile.
And, lastly, NEVER to get discouraged, Compost Happens, whether it takes as little as two weeks or two years. It is always worth the effort!!
