Benefits of compost
Composting gives new meaning to the expression dirt-cheap. It is environmentally friendly and provides good land stewardship by reducing:
- Yard waste collection costs.
- Household waste collection costs by rerouting most kitchen scraps to the compost pile.
- Gardening costs by providing a renewable nutrient soil source.
Many communities now have composting programs using residential yard waste.
Composting basics
The secret to good compost is:
- Layering.
- Layering.
- Layering.
Composting occurs when organic waste is mixed with air and moisture, allowing decomposition into a multipurpose, nutrient rich, gardening instrument. Both air and water are needed to allow the microorganisms to break down the material.
Alternate carbon and nitrogen material layers:
Nitrogen sources:
- Grass clippings.
- Manure.
- Alfalfa meal.
- Cottonseed meal.
- Coffee grounds.
- Tea bags.
- Spoiled juice.
- Wilted fresh flower bouquets.
- Feathers.
Carbon sources:
- Leaves.
- Shredded newspaper.
- Pizza or other food contaminated cardboard boxes not suitable for recycling.
- Dried flowers.
- Bread.
- Cereal.
- Beans.
- Spices.
Since smaller pieces breakdown more quickly, it is well worth the effort to hand shred materials before composting. Pound broccoli stalks to speed decomposition. Consider a chipper for reducing yard waste before composting.
Contact local coffee shops for used coffee grounds, which are often available to the public when the request is called ahead. Bury citrus rinds in the compost pile to minimize fruit flies.
To ensure air circulation allowing microorganisms to work effectively, construct compost bin using:
- Chicken wire.
- Cinder blocks.
- Lattice work or snow fencing.
Select a location that will receive some shade to prevent overheating.
A beginning formula for yard waste compost:
Layer 6 inches of leaves, 2 inches of manure, and 1 inch soil mixed with limestone.
Composting is too smelly
Even excellent compost produces odors. However, strong odors may indicate an imbalance in materials or too much moisture.
- Review the mix of carbon and nitrogen sources and adjust as necessary.
- Compost moisture should be wet without dripping when squeezed.
- Add dry material, such as dried leaves, if a rotten egg odor is evident, indicating excessive moisture.
- Ending the layers with a soil-limestone cover helps minimize odors.
- Many commercially available compost bins are closed to accelerate the composting process while reducing odors.
Care and use
Turn compost every two to three weeks to reactivate processing, as the microorganisms will consume the available oxygen and need additional aeration to maintain maximum efficiency.
- Add water to dry areas when turning compost.
- Slow activity may indicate need for more moisture or more nitrogen material.
- Earthworm activity a good productivity indicator.
After three to four weeks, depending on conditions, begin using the compost.
- Apply only the fine material.
- Return large chunks to the pile for further processing.
- Provide organic matter wherever needed in the garden.
- In drier climates use compost as a nutrient providing mulch.
- Also an excellent potting soil.
Use an additive to accelerate decomposition if desired.
What not to compost
To avoid attracting unwanted animals to your garden area always bury food scraps in the compost pile and avoid adding:
- Fish.
- Meat scraps.
- Bones.
- Dairy products.
- Fatty foods.
- Oils.
Materials not suitable to compost:
- Pet manure.
- Metals.
- Plastics.
- Glass.
- Large amounts of sawdust.
- Weeds with seeds.
Special systems are available to breakdown pet manure.