IVOFG: Making compost 131

This article was written by Alexis Distad for the Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden student blog.

Today we made compost piles. We went out to the field to 'get down!' As a class we broke off into groups trimming chard back and removing bolted lettuce and basil. Sunburnt peppers and other green material were made into a huge green pile.

In three groups, we each laid out the structure for a 6'x6'x6' compost pile. First we went down the sunflower stalks.

Branches would have worked well also. The big guys work well to facilitate drainage. Next we add a layer about 2"-4" thick of brown matter. In our case the brown matter was hay (and then wood chips when the hay ran out).

Dry leaves would also do the trick. Then the pile is doused with a hose. Just enough water to well dampen but not drench the pile. The pile is then covered with a similarly thick layer of green matter. We used the large pile of greens that we had just pulled from the earth. Any garden greens will do fine. Again, douse with water. Next comes a similarly sized layer of manure. We used horse manure.

Then more water yet again. And the cycle goes on. Brown, green, manure. Brown, green, manure. Brown, green, manure. All then capped off preferably with hay, although some other brown matter would work also.

All this until the pile is (ideally) six feet tall.

As our three groups built up, some were in the rows uprooting more bolted lettuce for our green layers. All the work uncovered some rare critters.

We found a super fuzzy caterpillar, a praying mantis, and a camera shy frog, all in the rainbow chard!

After all the piles were completed we stood in a circle encompassing the piles, holding hands, offering blessings to our new piles.

These compost piles are made of 100% organic materials. Everything in it is of the earth, and will go back from whence she came. There is no plastic case that had to be made, shipped, purchased, assembled and eventually thrown away. Our piles are 100% au natural. Our piles will get turned weekly, although a pile this size can be turned every two weeks.

Lastly, an aerobic compost pile, such as ours, has to get to 131 degrees Fahrenheit for at least three days in order for it to do its do. It can get hotter, but never any cooler.