Composting is the process of producing compost through aerobic decomposition of biodegradable organic matter.

Composting is nature's own recycling system. It breaks plant matter down into its original nutrient form and then returns that valuable nourishment to the soil.
Composting can be divided into the two areas of home composting and industrial composting. Both of these, use the same biological processes, however techniques and different factors must be taken into account.

Home composting is just collecting kitchen scraps and leaves and putting them in a pile or bin. Then Mother Nature does the work of turning it back into soil. Composting can be done with almost no effort. Just follow these steps.
Composting steps:
I. Choose a well-drained, sunny position.
II. First put a layer of coarse material such as broken-up sticks, twigs, pruning, dry leaves and torn newspaper on the bottom of the heap.
III. This layer should be about the thickness of the width of one of your hands (8-12 cm). This step is important because it allows air to flow through the heap.
Then add a thin layer (1-2 cm) of rich soil or finished compost from a previous heap. Add enough water to make everything moist. Add food scrap to the heap. Each time you add kitchen scraps, also add a different thin layer (1-2 cm) of one or more of the materials stated in step II. When layering is finished, cover the heap with Hessian bags, under-felt or a layer of mulch.
IV. Turn the heap often
Let your compost settle for the first two weeks. After this, turn your compost heap weekly and it will take 8-10 weeks to produce good compost. If you don't turn it regularly, then it will take longer to produce good compost and the heap will be wet and stinky. If it's too dry turn it and then water it.For smelly compost add lime to the heap and turn it.

Non-composting materials:
Dog, cat or human feces (manure) They can cause disease.
Meat and fish scraps.
Chemicals

Compost creatures:

Slaters
Ground beetles
Bacteria
Fungi
Earthworms
Streptomycin

The resulting product of your composting endeavor is crumbly, dark, soil-like humus which makes an incredibly rich, organic fertilizer for your garden. Putting home-grown compost onto gardens also greatly reduces our dependence on chemicals, such as artificial fertilizers and pesticides. Besides, you are doing something to help our Ecosystem.

Learn more about this author, Nagashree Subramanyam.
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