How to Pit Compost
- 1). Dig a compost pit in a well-draining area of soil with a shovel. Excavate the hole to a depth of 18 to 24 inches and widen it until it measures approximately 18 to 24 inches wide. Decide the length of the pit based on the amount of waste you need to dispose of; in most cases, a 2- to 3-foot-long compost trench provides sufficient room for a typical household's pit composting needs.
- 2). Spread a mix of organic waste across the bottom of the compost pit. Scoop the scraps into the hole with your shovel, leveling it off approximately 12 inches from the surface of the ground; for instance, if you've dug your compost pit 2 feet deep, then you can fill it with a 12-inch-deep layer of compost waste. Try to include equal amounts of carbon-rich matter (dry, brown biodegradable scraps such as dead leaves, straw and sawdust) and nitrogen-rich matter (wet, green biodegradable waste such as horse manure, grass cuttings and kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peelings) to speed up the composting process.
- 3). Backfill the compost pit. Scoop topsoil over the top of the organic waste, completely covering it with a layer of dirt that is approximately 12 inches thick in order to prevent odors and keep from attracting animal pests, like raccoons and rats. Pack the topsoil down firmly with the backside of the shovel scoop.