Build a Compost Pile: Aesthetics

We shall speak of the aesthetics of the compost pile this time.

This Build a Compost Pile series includes:

• An introduction to compost
• Common misconceptions
• Placement
• What goes in, what stays out
• Size matters
• Optimal conditions
• The controversy over weeds

We did touch on aesthetics last time, but only just. We shall do a much more thorough job of it now.

Personally, a pile of rotting garden waste does not offend me, but that may be for the simple fact that I know what I’ll be getting when that pile shrinks down and turns into compost. I’ll get the best darn stuff known to gardening. Oh, the wonders of compost! But that is a whole other discussion. Back to aesthetics.

There is no two ways about it. The compost pile is less than attractive to most people. It seems  folks have an aversion to composting simply because it detracts from the beauty of their yard. This may be true, but only if you let it. There are several ways to fix this problem. Let’s go over some of them.

Hide and Seek

As with all things necessary but not pleasing to the eye, the compost pile should be placed in an out-of-the-way place (like my dad putting it behind the tool shed). Half hidden behind an existing structure such as a tool shed or even the greenhouse would somewhat hide the compost pile and, in the case of having it near the greenhouse, make it ever so convenient to use.

Forgotten Place in the Yard Turned Useful

You may have a forgotten place in your yard which no one really pays much attention to and you haven’t done much with, maybe by choice. Perhaps shrubs and/or vines grow a bit tangled and wild here and the leaves from the trees are left to do their thing where they fall. You may even leave it this way to provide a place for birds to nest and feed and to attract other forms of wildlife. Next to this forgotten spot would be a good place for the compost pile. It would look like a natural progression of things. And those leaves that fall to the ground, well, now they’ll just drop onto the pile, saving you the trouble of raking and adding good material to the pile.

Plant a Hiding Place

This is almost like placing the compost pile behind an existing structure, only this is done on purpose. That is to say, you may consider planting a somewhat tall hedge around the area you choose for the compost pile with the expressed purpose of hiding it from view. Pick one easy to grow plant and space them according to their spread. Pick one which flowers and produces fruit or berries and you have double duty. This pretty hedge will hide the compost pile while giving you and/or your feathered neighbors something nice to look at and yummy fruit to eat.

For a permanent hiding place tall shrubs, prolific perennial vines and small multi-stemmed trees will do the trick nicely. Suggested shrubs for the purpose: Forsythia, Tartarian Honeysuckle, Lilac and Globe Arborvitae. Small multi-stemmed trees include: Crape Myrtle, Russian Olive, Hydrangea paniculata, and Star Magnolia. Lovely vines for good, thick cover are: Trumpet vine, Wisteria, Honeysuckle and Hops vines.

Make it Pretty

There’s nothing saying you can’t try to make the compost pile pretty. How? That all depends what you consider pretty. Some folks think a nice picket fence is enough to beautify the compost pile. You may consider making a box for the compost with a removable front panel for easy access to the finished compost. I consider that overkill, but that’s just me.

Here are my suggestions to make the compost pile most attractive. Temporary or seasonal screens created by planting rows of Sunflowers, Hollyhocks, Golden Rod, Miscanthus ornamental grass or Hardy Hibiscus make a very lovely surround for anything, even a compost pile. Fast growing annual vines such as Morning Glory, Moonflower, Scarlet Runner beans or any vine of your choice can climb on and cover a small chain-link or chicken wire fence if you are willing to put up this sort of structure around your compost pile. This would be absolutely gorgeous and you’d never know  that a compost pile is back there.

Create a Barrier

You may consider surrounding the compost pile with hay bales stacked up. If these hay bales are readily available to you, that would be a fine idea. They may even do double duty if you are inclined to practice archery. A bull’s eye target can go on the hay bales toward the back of the compost pile. Please, make certain no one is working in the compost pile before letting loose with arrows!

Go Techno

Okay, not exactly techno but sort of.  We’re talking about those compost tumbler contraptions and the prefabricated plastic composting bins which hide all the unpleasantness of composting inside and away from delicate sensibilities. These work fine even if they are way too small for a person with loads of garden waste (Me!)  But be forewarned, you will need to spend huge amounts of money, and unnecessarily. To take a so totally natural process like decaying organic matter and then having to buy something in order to do it? I don’t really see the sense in it, but if that’s what it takes for you to start composting, then so be it.

You see? There really is no need to fear your visitors will find your compost pile ugly. How can they if they can’t find it?

This posting is partially “borrowed” from the original article “How to Make Compost” found at Helium.com.
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Glory Lennon learned  the not-so-fine art of composting at a very young age from her father who used to toss yard waste behind the tool shed and seemingly make magic happen.  To this day, Glory believes true magic can be found only in the garden. See for yourself at Glory’s Garden. For more whimsical articles visit GreenThumbArticles.com.