How to Make a Compost Starter

Overview

Good compost requires four ingredients in their proper proportions: moisture, oxygen, nitrogen-based organic matter (greens), and carbon-based organic matter (browns). With the actions of the right decomposing microorganisms the material is on its way within weeks to being a valued addition to the landscape and garden. Under some circumstances, adding a compost starter loaded with ready-to-go microorganisms to the process helps do it quicker and more thoroughly. Making a variety of do-it-yourself compost starters is easy.

Step 1

Shovel several pounds of dirt from the garden into the new compost pile and mix it in. If your garden has a poor microorganism base, ask someone who has been organically gardening for at least several years if you can use some of their soil as a starter. The existing microorganisms within the soil will be all that is necessary to begin decomposition in the compost.

Step 2

Add and mix a few pounds of completed compost from another pile to a new compost pile. This will ensure the necessary microorganisms that specialize in organic decomposition are available to start the process

Step 3

Mix either a shovel of garden dirt or finished compost into a five-gallon bucket of water that has set out for at least 24 hours to rid it of chlorine. Add a spoonful of unsulfured molasses and stir vigorously for several minutes. Over the next two days stir for at least five minutes twice a day to ensure the bacteria has enough oxygen in the water. On the third day, the water should have seen a tremendous growth in the bacterial level, which when poured over and mixed into the compost will immediately jump-start it.