Simplicity ZT2561 Composting, Tips On Dealing With Clippings, How to start a healthy compost pile

	Lawn Care & Mowing Information
TIPS On Dealing With Clippings	• Reduce the evaporation of water from your lawn.
Clippings are beneficial to your lawn. A common mis-	• Provide a cushioning layer to reduce lawn wear.
	• Moderate soil temperature.
conception about clippings is that they automatically
	• Clippings act as a safe, non-polluting and inexpen-
lead to thatch—this is untrue. Short clippings produced
by broadcasting and clippings produced by mulching	sive fertilizer that nourishes your lawn. Fresh cut
methods actually contribute to a healthy lawn	grass blades are 85% water, and are a rich source
because they:	of nitrogen which is essential to lush growth. And
	one garbage bag of clippings contains about 1/4 lb.
	of usable organic nitrogen.
COMPOSTING
The best way to recycle excess clippings and leave your
lawn looking immaculate is to collect them with an effi-
cient collection system and deposit them in a compost
pile. A compost pile is a collection of grass, leaves, and
other organic wastes which—when properly tended—
decompose into an odorless, topsoil material. This
material, in turn, acts as an inexpensive fertilizer for your
lawn and garden.
How to start a healthy compost pile:

1 Build a bin using bricks, fencing, cement blocks, etc. or pur- chase a prefabricated bin from a garden store. The bin should also have venting on each side and from the bottom to the top.

2 Fill the bin with alternating layers of yard waste. Follow this recipe:

First layer: 3-4 inches of chopped brush or other coarse material.

Second layer: 6-8 inches of mixed leaves, grass clippings, sawdust, etc. Materials should be "sponge damp."

Third layer: 1 inch of soil to add micro-organisms that help break down organic matter.

Fourth layer: 1-2 inches of manure to provide the nitrogen needed by micro-organisms.

Keep adding layers until the bin is almost full. Top off with a 4-6 inch layer of straw and scoop out a "basin" to catch rain water.

3Four or five days later the pile will reach temperatures of 140-160 degrees. At this time you'll notice it settling, a good sign your compost is working properly.

4After 5-6 weeks, fork materials into a new pile, turning the outside of the old heap into the center of the new one. Add water if necessary. The compost should be ready to use within three to four months when dark brown, crumbly, and earthy-smelling.

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