Anyone can make this beneficial soil amendment by using available organic waste material. Composting is easy and can be done on a large or small scale. A farmer needs a massive pile but a two-liter pop bottle will suffice for an apartment dweller. The science and the process are the same – just the components and timing vary.
What to Add?
Garden and yard waste such as leaves, dry grass, plants, old soil and soft plant stems are all compost ingredients. Kitchen scraps from fruit and vegetables, crushed egg shells, tea bags, coffee grounds and filters and shredded paper are all great. Small pieces will speed up the process. Do not put milk or cheese products, meat, fish, bones, metals, fats and oils, or pet waste in the compost.
Is Composting Difficult?
As long as the material is organic, the result will be compost, or humus. For best results, alternate with a mixture of green/wet (kitchen scraps, grass, garden clippings) and brown/dry materials (leaves, straw). Do not layer anything too thickly and turn the mixture on a fairly regular basis.
Why Turn Compost?
Good compost requires organic material, moisture, heat and oxygen. Turning adds the oxygen. However, the beauty of composting is that an unturned pile of organic material will eventually turn into compost.
Where Should a Compost Bin Go?
An outdoor bin should go in a sunny, well-drained spot that is easily accessible at all times of the year. The sun heats the mixture to a temperature where things can get “cooking.” This heat allows the good microorganisms to multiply and break down the organic material into a loamy soil. A shady spot will lengthen the time needed to get usable compost.
How Long Does Compost Take?
There are many variables, but compost can be created in one to two months. The material used, particle size, temperature, moisture, oxygen and amount of turning are all factors in the timing.
Does Compost Smell?
Smell is generally a sign that something is not being done properly. Make sure the material is being turned, there is not too much moisture and there is a good balance of materials (with nothing that should not be in there).
What About Compost and Animals?
Outdoor bins can attract animals and pests but trouble can be minimized. Wire mesh around the perimeter at the bottom can help keep small critters out. Keeping smells down and putting a cover on will help with larger animals. Mothballs hung outside the bin are said to keep bears at bay.
When is Compost Ready?
Compost is ready to use when it is dark and crumbly and has an earthy smell. You can sift the compost before using and put the unfinished stuff back for a while longer.
Why Use Compost?
Compost adds organic material to the soil, which increases its ability to hold moisture. The varied particle sizes gives compost a porous structure, which adds oxygen. The different organic materials and trace elements in compost enhance plant and root growth. Compost binds the nutrients in the soil, which means they are released at a slower rate. The soil’s increased capacity to retain moisture and nutrients means quicker, stronger growth and that can help prevent soil and wind erosion.
Compost can be used in the flower and vegetable garden, on houseplants, around trees, as mulch and on the lawn. It is simple to make, easy to use and the benefits so numerous that it just makes sense.
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