Odorless Composting

Have you hesitated to improve your soil with garbage or manure because of the odor, insects, and bothersome turning and watering that may accompany attempts to compost it?

If that has been the case you may find helpful a method of composting manure or any good compost makings that solves all of these problems and is nearly effortless as well.

This technique, evolved by A. M. Bond, of Thetford, Vermont, makes use of black polyethylene plastic sheets, which not only hold in desired heat and moisture but also valuable nutrient gases. Bond uses the method on manure composting. The steps in the process are simple.

You need not dig up the strip of ground under the heap, but doing so assures better drainage if it is needed.

Then gather the manure, garbage, grass clippings, leaves and other debris; heap the mixture oblong-wise; and wet it down with the hose. You'll also get better and faster compost if, when mixing, you'll neutralize with fine limestone.

Spread the plastic sheet over the mixture and cover the edges of the plastic on all sides with several inches of soil to seal in heat, gas and moisture. You may wish to put up a temporary fence around the compost pile to keep children or dogs from injuring the plastic with their feet.

In three months or less you should find the mixture completely corn-posted and odorless and ready to use in the garden.