November 28, 2025 – So, what is compost? There are many definitions, but one of the best and simplest says that compost is decomposed once-living material. The decomposed material contains many nutrients your growing and producing vegetable plants need.
Compost can be “grown” in a turnable container, open container, just in a pile, or purchased at a store (expensive!). All three require you to ensure the pile is periodically turned. Turnable containers work very well, but the actual amount you get is pitifully small, particularly for a large vegetable garden.
Open containers can be much larger. I once had a compost pile that was three pallets wide on all sides. It made a great deal of compost over a year’s time. Open piles work great, but are a pain to maintain, and piles should be turned at least once a month. Adding corn meal and/or molasses will help the pile to heat up faster, and molasses will keep out fire ants!
Since I need 3 cubic yards of compost every year in my three raised bed gardens and cattle feed-sized pots, I chose a different method of purchasing; namely buying compost by the cubic yard. This works great, but make sure you know the compost’s pH before buying. Compost above a level 7 pH may do more harm than good in growing veggies.
Literature suggests no bones, animal wastes or meat products in your pile, but if you buy store-bought compost in bags, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll have these items in it. If you have the time and patience (perhaps years!!!), you can compost these items in your home pile. Shorter times usually require piles 10-12’ tall and wide, being turned by machines. These piles generate sufficient heat to handle bones and meat. In fact, spontaneous combustion is a real concern in such piles.
