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Secondly, as it is a totally natural product, compost is right for all kinds of plants and soils, except for earth rich in clay, in which case compost must be used in moderation and mixed with sand. There is little risk in using too much compost: it does not cause allergies or accidents if ingested by pets. It does not contain weeds, nor does it smell bad or attract mosquitoes. And it stimulates the activity of micro-bacteria in the soil, improving its capacities for retention and recovery.

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First of all you need a spot that is semi-shaded, dry, with good circulation and a natural
floor to store the remains. You can include weeds, dried up flowers, leaves, trimmings from pruning, thick or thin branches, lawn cuttings and remains of fruits and vegetables from the kitchen. You will also need a container where the process of composting can take place. There are several types but the most important factor is that it have a sort of sluice gate at the bottom to remove compost that is already done. It has to keep the compost moist, facilitate air circulation and be easy to fill from the top. The most practical approach is to buy a device designed for this purpose. An electric or gasoline-powered thrashing machine makes the job easier and faster, and also achieves an optimum level of oxygenation.

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You need about a cubic meter of varied organic material, well chopped up and mixed, to start making compost. When the tank is full the process of fermentation begins. It is characterized by a sharp rise in temperature. After about two weeks, the temperature drops and in about a month, fungi will have broken down the organic material. This leads to a third phase that can take months, depending on the temperature. Insects and acarids in the soil take over, culminating a process that yields an extraordinary product.
You can tell the compost is done and ready to use when it has a pleasant smell like wet earth and its consistency is like coffee grounds.

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During the whole process keep the compost moist but not wet. And mix the new material you add with the remains that are in the most advanced phase. If you do this with
a pitchfork, it will oxygenate the mix. Keep in mind that compost is a fertilizer and not a substrate. Therefore it should not be used by itself, but rather mixed with soil.

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Although the process might seem cumbersome, it really isn't difficult. It just takes a little patience to achieve the desired results, and it is worthwhile to see how waste products from the garden are transformed into a high-quality fertilizer. In any case, if you don't have space or time, you can buy worm humus. It has qualities similar to that of compost, and is sold in conveniently packaged sacks in gardening stores.

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