Was your new year's resolution to lead a more environmentally conscious lifestyle? Great! Sure, you've stopped using plastic water bottles. And yes, you've been riding your bike more...but what now? Compost!

Composting is a fantastic and easy way to reduce the waste you contribute to landfills, conserve energy, recycle waste, and save money. In addition to being environmentally aware, building a compost pile is the best investment you can make for your garden. Your compost pile will help produce amazingly rich, organic soil that you could only dream of.

March is the perfect time to start building your compost pile. As you work on your garden this spring, start building a compost pile with your green waste, one of the four key components to a successful compost pile.  The four major components are:

• Greens - "Greens" are materials such as grass, freshly pulled plants and organic kitchen waste that provides nitrogen. Greens should compose about half of your compost pile (by volume).

• Browns - "Browns" are dry materials such as leaves or straw that provide carbon. Browns should compose roughly half of your pile (by volume).

• Water - The organisms in your compost pile need a moist environment to live in, especially in our desert climate. The inside of your pile should have the consistency of a wrung-out sponge.

• Air - Turning your pile adds air to the mix. Organisms in the pile need a source of oxygen if they are going to thrive. Not turning your compost creates a refuse pile. Then, you're just collecting garbage in your backyard.

If done correctly, your compost pile will be finished composting within 6-8 months.

For further information about composting and links to other resources, please visit our "Compost" resource page by clicking here.

Do you already have a compost pile and are looking for other ways to further incorporate new environmentally conscious practices into your life? For additional inspiration, join us at our March 20th workshop, "The Global Imperative for the Local Garden." Click here to register now!