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Don't be put off by the idea of composting. Today, the process has been made easier so that you can even do it in an apartment. Besides outdoor composting bins you can buy or build to keep in your yard, there are also many kitchen composting pails and bins available in the marketplace. Home composting is best learned by doing: find what works best for your home situation and if needed, modify the process to suit your needs.
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Composting is a natural process. Microorganisms break down organic materials such as leaves, grass, and vegetable scraps to form a rich soil-like substance known as compost or humus.
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- Organic Materials - A good mix is made up with three parts "browns" which are tough, fibrous materials that give the end product some body (i.e., dead leaves that are high in carbon) and one part "greens" which are soft, sappy materials (i.e., garden pruning debris and fresh grass clippings that are high in nitrogen). Other composting materials include biodegradable bags, coffee grinds, fruit peels and rinds, vegetable scraps, vacuum dust, and crushed eggshells.
- Moisture - Composting materials should have a moist feel but not be too soggy.
- Temperature – Compost should feel warm to the touch except during colder months.
- Air: Compost should be regularly turned to ensure that air reaches the center of the pile.
This helps prevent unpleasant odors that can occur when materials decompose without oxygen.
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- Diseased plants or leaves
- Plants that have gone to seed
- Persistent weeds (such as poison ivy, bindweed, multiflora rose, etc.)
- Human or pet feces
- Meat, dairy products and vegetables that have been cooked with animal fats
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Compost is ready to be used when it appears dark, crumbly and none of the initial ingredients are visible. You can test to see if your compost is finished by sealing a small sample in a plastic bag (or biodegradable bag) for 24 to 48 hours. If there’s no strong odor when you open the bag, the compost is done. It is now ready to be applied directly around the base of trees and shrubs to serve as mulch or can be worked into the top 6”-8” of the soil to provide increased water retention and nutrients
By composting you can create a nearly constant source of free fertilizer and soil conditioner. Regularly using compost, you can greatly reduce or even end the need for chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, which can save you money as well as reduces contamination of our drinking water and waterways!
There are a numerous books on home and backyard composting so check your local library or bookstore. Also see if your local government offers workshops, handouts, or guides on composting.
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