Composting is the process whereby organic matter is broken down by microorganisms into a nutrient-rich humus.  This material is prized by gardeners for its value as a soil amendment and a fertilizer.  If you do a little reading you’ll uncover a wide variety of methods and recipes, any one of which can work for you.  Some people just pile the stuff up in a corner of the yard, while others prefer to make compost in a tidy wooden box or a cage built from chicken wire and posts.  The popular three-bin method of making compost is an option you may want to consider.  Let’s take a quick look at this composting technique.

Here’s how it works.  Build three bins side by side.  Each container should be able to hold at least one cubic yard of plant debris.  Fill up the first bin with layers of brown materials and green materials.  Include some manure or good soil to jumpstart the bacterial activity.  When the volume of the compost reduces by half, move it into the second bin.  Refill the first bin with fresh organic materials.  When the compost in the second bin reduces by half, shovel it into the third bin.  Shortly after making it into the third bin, the compost should be well-decomposed and ready for use.

The best part about this method is the ongoing production of compost.  You will have a constant supply all season long for planting, mulching, and fertilizing.  The challenge may be to find enough raw materials to keep three bins operating.  It’s best to start each batch with a pile of materials at least three feet high and three feet square.  This will ensure that the decomposing plant matter generates enough heat to destroy weed seeds and disease organisms.

As every serious gardener knows, mixing compost into the earth is the best way to add organic matter and improve soil structure.  Compost is also a natural source of important plant nutrients and beneficial microorganisms.  Making it is a bit of an art form and there are many viable techniques.  The three-bin composting method is a good option if you have space for the containers and a fairly large amount of material to compost.