Composting is something that can not only help your garden, but it can also help the planet. The amount of your contribution will depend on the size of your garden.

You may look at your small patch of land and ask yourself what difference it will really make in the big picture of things. Keep in mind if everyone pitched in, even a little bit,  we would make a definite and positive impact on the planet.

Many people have misconceptions about what composting is and isn’t. So I will go through some of the popular myths and debunk them here and now.

• A compost pile just plain stinks:  If a compost pile is properly maintained and constructed it should not smell. It is important to have adequate air circulation and the appropriate elements inside the compost pile. As with most everything, balance is important and knowing what you’re doing is important as well.

• Some believe composting means we are creating new dirt: The truth is that composting is not dirt, it is decayed matter which can provide nutrients to the earth. So compost is really humus. By mixing compost with the soil we are providing the plants the necessary nutrients they need in order to produce good healthy flowers and excellent tasting and nutritious fruits and vegetables.

• Many people believe it takes too much work to compost: In reality once the compost pile is set up it will be a fairly simple process to keep it going. It is like a fly wheel, it takes a good amount of energy to get it going, but once it is going all it takes is a few strokes to keep it going. Similarly with the compost pile after it is going it should only take adding new materials as they become available and turning the piles every couple of weeks or months, depending on the size.

• Some believe compost piles will attract unwanted pests and animals to their back yard:  The reality is if the compost is properly maintained, and properly covered along with having about one inch of brown as the top layer there should be no issue with animal control. You could also use a barrel.

• There are those who are concerned about how to add the correct amount of brown or green materials to the compost pile:  Truthfully composting is not an exact science. There are no scales and measures required. As time goes on you will get a feel for your pile and what you should add or shouldn’t over time. You will be able to read the signs relative to how quickly it decays, or the temperature of the pile. So don’t worry about the details you will get a feel for it over time.

What you need to realize is that composting is relatively easy and it is also environmentally friendly. Additionally it is an inexpensive way for you to fertilize whatever garden or plants you have. So join the movement, go green and help the planet as well as yourself.