Composting is a natural process that turns organic waste into nutrient-rich soil conditioner, providing an excellent way to recycle kitchen and garden waste and reduce overall waste going to landfills. Here’s a comprehensive guide to composting, covering the basics and tips for success:
What is Composting?
Composting is the decomposition of organic materials, such as food scraps, yard trimmings, and other biodegradable waste, by microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and insects. This process transforms organic matter into a valuable soil amendment called compost.
Benefits of Composting:
- Nutrient-rich Soil: Compost enriches the soil with essential nutrients, enhancing plant growth and health.
- Reduction of Waste: Composting diverts organic waste from landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and landfill usage.
- Improved Soil Structure: Compost improves soil structure, making it better at retaining water and nutrients.
- Reduction of Chemical Use: Compost reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
How to Start Composting:
Choose a Composting Method:
- Open Pile or Heap Composting: The simplest and most inexpensive method involves creating a compost pile on bare ground. Ideal for yard trimmings ONLY. It requires “active” chopping and weekly turning to keep animals out. The bins require a lid, floor and no holes bigger than ¼ inch.
- Rodent-Resistant Bins or Tumblers: For fruit, vegetable and yard trimmings, this method is neat and contained, promoting faster decomposition and easier turning.
- Vermicomposting (Using Worms): This is a fun method that utilizes worms to accelerate the composting process. It is intended for food trimmings only. It does take some time and effort but can be used indoors as well as outdoors during the warmer months. It produces one of the very best fertilizers.
- Closed-Air Systems: This system is low maintenance but can be prone to odour and insect problems.
- Underground Composting: This system requires digging a hold each time you add new materials. No harvesting is required.
Be sure to check with your local municipality, often when composting fruit and vegetable trimmings, the Health Department requires a rodent-resistant system.
Following the Basics:
- CHOP: Chop materials if you want them to break down quickly.
- MIX: Mix “Browns”, carbon-rich dry leaves, straw, newspaper, cardboard with “Greens”, nitrogen-rich food scraps, grass clippings, fresh leaves.
- MAINTAIN: Maintain the air and water balance by keeping the compost as moist as a ‘wrung out” sponge.
A combination of chopped up browns and greens, air and water are the key ingredients that will keep every compost pile healthy!
Gather Materials:
- Browns: Dry leaves, chopped woody prunings, pine needles, newspaper, straw, sawdust, and wood chips.
- Greens: Tea bags, citrus rinds, coffee grinds & filters, lawn clippings, young weeds & plant trimmings, fruit & vegetable trimmings, herbivore manures, and eggshells.
- Other: Small amounts of paper towels, hair, and pet fur.
- Water: Moisture helps break down the materials.
Layering:
- Start with a layer of browns, then add a layer of greens.
- Moisten the layers as you go, aiming for a consistency like a damp sponge.
Aeration:
- Turn or mix the compost regularly (every 1-2 weeks) to introduce oxygen, aiding decomposition.
Maintain Balance:
- Aim for a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of about 25-30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen for optimal decomposition.
Monitor and Adjust:
- Check the moisture level regularly and adjust by adding water or dry materials as needed.
- If the compost smells bad or is not breaking down, adjust the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.
What Not to Compost:
- Meat and Dairy: These can attract pests and take longer to break down.
- Bread and Grains:
- Oils and Grease: They can disrupt the composting process.
- Pet Waste: May contain harmful pathogens.
- Inorganic or Toxic Materials: Plastics, metals, chemicals, and treated wood.
- Other: Diseased plants {in cold piles} or fruit & vegetable trimmings {in open piles/simple bins}.
Troubleshooting:
- Foul Smell: Likely too wet or not enough aeration. Turn and add dry materials.
- Not Heating Up: May need more nitrogen-rich greens or turning to introduce oxygen.
- Pests or Animals: Ensure your compost is well-covered or consider a sealed composting system.
Harvesting Compost:
- Compost is ready when it’s dark, crumbly, and has an earthy smell.
- Transfer finished compost to your garden or use it as a top dressing for plants.
Tips:
- Patience: Composting takes time. Be patient and consistent with the process.
- Size Matters: Chop materials into smaller pieces for faster decomposition.
- Balanced Mix: Aim for a good mix of browns and greens for effective composting.
- Layering: Alternate layers of browns and greens to maintain a good carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.
Conclusion:
Composting is an eco-friendly way to reduce waste and enrich your garden soil. Experiment with different materials and methods to find what works best for you. Happy composting!