A compost heap is a treasure for the garden, but waiting for it to mature can take months. We'll tell you about a method that experienced gardeners use to speed up the process by half.
To make the compost ripen faster, freshly cut grass is added to the pile – it is full of nitrogen and speeds up the process. Plus, the pile needs to be stirred regularly so that the bacteria breathe oxygen and work at full capacity.
How to do it right
Collect a pile from a mixture of green (grass, vegetable peelings) and brown (dry leaves, twigs) materials in a 1:2 ratio. Add freshly cut grass – approximately 10 – 15% of the pile volume. Do not compact to allow air to pass through. Once every 5 – 7 days, stir the pile with a pitchfork, mixing the layers.
It is better to do this in spring or summer, when heat helps bacteria. Don't add meat, fat or diseased plants – they will slow down the process or attract pests. If the pile smells rotten, add dried leaves and stir frequently. For greater effect, you can cover the pile with a dark film – this will retain heat and moisture.
