Composting

image courtesy of squawkfox.com

Home composting is a great way to recycle kitchen and garden waste. Compost (also referred to as humus) is the dark, earthy, soil-like material resulting from the natural decomposition of organic matter. It is nutrient rich and great for conditioning the soil for houseplants, container gardens and the landscape, not to mention a fantastic substitute for commercial fertilizers. Composting at home is not only a rewarding landscape asset it is vital to reducing the large amount of waste sent to the dump. Did you know? According to the EPA, kitchen and garden waste makes up about 26% of the total U.S. municipal garbage sent off to the landfills and nearly 1/3 is compostable materials. Unfortunately, the waste does not break down nearly as well as it would in a home compost system. In order to decompose, the correct amount of air circulation, moisture and the proper ratio of “green” vs. “brown” materials are necessary for success. View a more detailed list of compostable materials below and read on to learn more about how and what to compost.

Simple steps to start and maintain your compost pile. Determine how you want to compost, binless, in a homemade bin or buy a compost bin. A homemade 3’x3’x3’ bin constructed of non-treated wood is sufficient to starting the compost pile directly on the bare ground. This will ensure that worms and other beneficial microorganisms will be able to reach the compost but keep the rodents out. Place twigs and straw at the bottom of the pile to allow for proper drainage and to keep air movement throughout. Add compostable materials in layers of “greens” and “browns”. A compost pile should remain moist but not soaking wet; so compensate for rain as needed. Aim for the moisture of a wrung out sponge. A quick turn every few weeks with a pitchfork or shovel will keep the decomposition process going smoothly.

A healthy compost pile needs the right mixture of “greens” which provide nitrogen and “browns” the carbon. Carbon products are important to use in your compost bin because they provide energy and heat needed for the pile to break down. A combination of nitrogen and carbon will ensures a great working balance of the two; a good rule of thumb is 1/3 “greens” with 2/3 “browns”. It doesn’t need to be an exact science but a good mix will keep the compost pile aerated allowing microorganisms to digest the waste without a garbage smell. As the compost pile decomposes, it should not release any putrid odors. If so, it’s a good indicator that the heap is in dire need of more “browns” and a quick stir.

“Greens” – Nitrogen

• Raw fruit & vegetable scrapes
• Dead floral arrangements
• Coffee grounds, filters & compostable tea bags
• Lawn clippings (not chemically treated) and fallen leaves
• Natural holiday décor (jack o’ lanterns, holiday greens and garlands)
• Egg shells (neutral – neither a green or brown, but a great source of calcium)

“Browns” – Carbon

• Straw
• Dryer lint
• Non-treated wood shavings and sawdust
• Old herbs and spices
• Wood ashes from the fireplace or fire pit
• Shredded newspapers, paid bills and cardboard
• The contents from your vacuum cleaner
• Human and pet hair
• Non-glossy or non-waxy paper products (i.e. paper towels, paper rolls, plates and napkins)
• And more!

It isn’t recommended to compost meat, dairy products, cooked food, pet waste, diseased plants or weeds that have went to seed. Be sure to research if there is something you think is compostable.

photo courtesy of shelbyfarmspark.org

Don’t be intimidated. It’s easy, you’ll have fun and get that ‘do good’ feeling… promise! Start by collecting all kitchen fruit and vegetable scraps and garden waste like your lawn clippings. A kitchen compost crock is a great way to gather fruit and veggie scraps to keep indoors until it’s full and ready to dump into the bin. Many compost crocks available have charcoal filters to prevent odor and seal to prevent attracting fruit flies.

Composting is an inexpensive way to make a great soil amendment for the garden or to mulch around landscape plants. The process keeps organic waste out of landfills and into the garden as a natural fertilizer. Homemade compost is a great addition to a spring vegetable garden not to mention your efforts should produce a higher yield. Provide the well-balanced blend of food, water, air and heat and the microorganisms that feed on your organic waste will do most of the dirty work turning your waste into compost.

Do you have any composting tips you would like to share? We would love to know what makes composting easy and fun for you.