There is tons of composting information out there and it can be hard to keep track of it all! Using the simple COMPOST acronym can help you remember what is most important when creating and caring for your compost pile.
C: Carbon/nitrogen. The right mix of carbon (browns) and nitrogen (greens) is essential for a healthy compost. Try to aim for a 3:1 ratio of browns to greens but this doesn't have to be perfect!
O: Oxygen. Keeping your compost aerated allows the microorganisms that jumpstart the decomposition process to get to work!
M: Moisture. You can tell your compost is too wet if there is water leaking or puddling around the bottom, and you can tell your compost is too dry if you touch it and there is no moisture.
P: Particle size. You should aim to have varied particle sizes in your compost so the smaller particles can decompose faster and the larger particles can provide structure for air flow in your pile.
O: Odor. Remember your compost shouldn't be super smelly. Anything other than a regular dirt smell is a sign that your compost may need some extra love to keep it healthy.
S: Site. Where you put your compost matters! A site in the sun will help keep your compost warm and speed up the decomposition process. Also remember that every site is different and your composting process will be entirely unique.
T: Temperature. Warmer temperatures will result in faster decomposition times while colder temperatures will slow down the process. Try to keep your compost in a warm and sunny place to speed up the process.
Keeping this acronym in mind when you are setting up and caring for your compost will help everything run smoothly. Remember you don't have to keep everything perfect to create a successful compost. These are just tips to get things off to a great start!
Happy composting!