The effect of layer thickness and material balance on soil quality

Transforming garden and household waste into nutrient-rich humus is more effective for soil structure than many commercial alternatives. To successfully produce this organic matter, gardeners must manage oxygen flow, moisture levels, and the balance of organic materials. Setting Up the Composting Site The primary requirement for aerobic decomposition is ventilation. Creating a compost pit is discouraged because lack of air causes organic matter to rot rather than decompose into humus. Svetlana Samoylova, author of "Not Just a Garden" and blogger: "This must not be a pit, otherwise processes of rotting will begin instead of decomposition."