How do you compost?

March 9, 2012 Mere1dcrr Living eco-friendly

Thinking about starting a compost pile or bin?  The spring and summer times are the best times to begin, because the warmer temperatures facilitate the decomposing process.  You will then have fresh compost for your garden next year.

Where to compost

Choosing a good spot for your compost pile can make it more successful in decomposing waste.  If you live in a dryer and hot region, start your pile in a shady area so that it doesn’t dry out as quick.  If in a cooler or wetter location, place your compost pile in a sunny spot so it doesn’t get too damp or cool.  For a compost pile to decompose quickly, it needs to be damp (but not wet) and hot (120ͦ-150ͦ F).

If not using a compost bin, place your pile over grass or soil and not over a paved area or concrete.  The soil allows for proper drainage, and essential microbes and worm will work their way up to the pile to break down waste.

Be discrete with your pile; don’t place it in the front yard for all to see.  Place it behind a bush or a hill, and distance it from roads.  You can even dig a pit to hide it.  Place it far from the house if need be, but not too far away so that it is inconvenient to get too.

How and what to compost:

Before we look at what exactly you can put in your compost bin, we must understand how to keep a good balance of organic materials so that decomposition happens quickly and efficiently.  A compost pile is not just a pile of food scraps.  Good composting piles need about 25% nitrogen materials and 75% carbon materials.  Nitrogen containing substances are your ‘green’ waste (lawn clippings, weeds, food scraps, fruits, tea bags…etc.) and substances that have a lot of carbon are ‘brown’ (dry leaves, straw, corn stalks, dried grass…etc.)  A good combination of these will ensure a successful compost pile.  A pile with too much nitrogen (green things) will be too moist, will rot and smell.  A pile with too much carbon or brown dry things will be too dry, and decomposition will take longer.  If your pile is dry, you may need to add water.

A good balance of materials is great, but the decomposing microbes also need oxygen to live.  You can oxygenate your pile by regularly turning your compost, either by turning it in a tumbler or using a garden fork to move the soil around.  Try to move the compost from the center to the outside, and the outside material to the inside.  This not only introduces more oxygen, but also moves the dryer stuff inward and vice versa.

List of ‘green’ things to compost:

-grass clippings

-yard waste/weeds

-leaves

-food scraps (not meat)

-coffee grounds

-tea bags

-corn stalks (shredded)

-manure (from any animal that doesn’t eat meat)

 

List of ‘brown’ things to compost:

-straw

-sawdust (in moderation)

-dried, brown grass

-dried brown leaves

 

DO NOT COMPOST:

-Meats

-Pet droppings

-animals fats

-newspaper/computer paper – possible chemicals in them – recycle instead

-Ashes

A good balance of materials is great, but the decomposing microbes also need oxygen to live.  You can oxygenate your pile by regularly turning your compost, either by turning it in a tumbler or using a garden fork to move the soil around.  Try to move the compost from the center to the outside, and the outside material to the inside.  This not only introduces more oxygen, but also moves the dryer stuff inward and vice versa.

 

Ways to compost:

There are many different ways you can compost these organic materials.

Pile:

simple stack of organic material, best for those with a lot to compost and have lots of space.

 

 

 

 

Bin:

Can be made from wood, cheap fencing, chicken wire, etc.

 

 

 

Compost Mania has some great composting bins of all sizes if you don’t want to build one yourself.

 

 

Natural Cedar Louvered Compost Bin

Great for a natural setting.  Has an open bottom and top for receiving water and draining it properly.  Can hold up to 22.5 cubic feet.

 

2-in-1 Pyramid Compost Mixer w/ Cart 

This 70 gallon composting bin has aeration holes on the sides to keep it well oxygenated.  Upper portion for throwing waste away, and decomposed humus sifts through the bottom to lower cart.

 

 

Green Compost Fortress

With a large lid for easy composting and sturdy make, this composting container has aeration holes throughout.  12 cubic foot capacity.

 

 

 

Compost Tumbler:

Compost tumblers are drum-like containers that make it easy to turn your compost.  These work great for those who don’t have a lot to compost, but want to create the rich compost soil quickly.  Compostmania.com has a variety of compost tumblers that are aesthetically pleasing as well as functional.

 

Ultra Compact Tumbler: Mini Envirocycle

 

Small and compact, this 17 gallon tumbler is great for the smaller backyard or even indoors.  Has wheels under drum for easy mixing.

 

 

 

Compost Orb w/ 8 Roller Base

 

This nifty design can roll easily on its base, or just roll around the yard.  Dark colored to absorb heat, with aeration holes throughout.  50 gallons.

 

 

 

Some more composting tips:

• You can add some worms into the mix to help decompose materials and aerate the soil.  Shovelful of soil can also add important worms and microbes.

 

• Get a long thermometer to check the temperature of the middle of your pile.  It should be between 120ͦ-150ͦ F.  If there is a drop in the temperature, that means the bacteria and microbes are dying and it is time to turn the pile to add more oxygen – bacteria need oxygen to survive.

 

• Keep it moist, but not too moist so that it molds and starts to smell.  If you take a pile from your compost container a squeeze it, you should not be able to get much water out.

 

• Shred larger materials like whole rotting fruits and vegetables, large leaves, vines, etc.  This make for faster decomposing.

 

• Add Alfalfa meal – this provides protein and nitrogen to the decomposing organisms and really speeds up the process!

 

• If you have a lot of material to compost – start a new compost pile.  A pile should be 4-10 feet around and 3-5 feet tall.  If your pile already has a good balance of carbon and nitrogen, do not unbalance by adding more, start new pile.

Like the idea of composting but don’t have the space?  Try vermicomposting – learn how at How to vermicompost.

Next Topic: What are ways to go green?

Resources:

http://compostguide.com/how-to-choose-a-compost-site/

http://www.howtocompost.org/info/info_Top-10-Composting-Tips.asp

http://www.thegardenofoz.org/composting101.asp

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